Current Affairs/Indian Society GS1 · Indian Society19 Aug 2026 · Indian Express — India
Only 9 disability categories in Census 2027 form, rights groups want all 21
Only 9 disability categories in Census 2027 form, rights groups want all 21. (See the linked source for details.)
Quick Revision
Prelims-testable facts
- 01The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, recognizes 21 distinct disabilities.
- 02The Census 2027 form has proposed only 9 disability categories for enumeration.
- 03The 21 disabilities recognized under the RPwD Act, 2016, include autism and specific learning disabilities.
- 04The government claims that the 9 disability categories in the Census 2027 form are sufficient to capture all persons with disabilities.
- 05The proposed enumeration of persons with disabilities in Census 2027 has been criticized by disability rights activists.
- 06The 9 disability categories in the Census 2027 form do not cover all 21 disabilities recognized under the RPwD Act, 2016.
- 07The National Platform for the Rights of Disabled (NP) has raised concerns over the proposed Census 2027 enumeration.
Trap alerts
- Most people think the Census 2027 form includes all 21 disabilities recognized under the RPwD Act, 2016, but actually it only includes 9.
- Most people think the government is not aware of the 21 disabilities recognized under the RPwD Act, 2016, but actually it is aware and has chosen to include only 9 categories in the Census 2027 form.
Current-affairs link
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, was enacted to provide a comprehensive framework for the protection and empowerment of persons with disabilities in India.
Mains Practice Question
Critically examine the implications of excluding 12 disability categories from the Census 2027 form, as per the demands of rights groups.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQs
Single facteasy
The Census 2027 form includes only how many disability categories?
The Census 2027 form includes only 9 disability categories, a decision that has been criticized by rights groups.
Single factmedium
The Census of India is conducted by which ministry?
- A.Ministry of Home Affairs
- B.Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- C.Ministry of Urban Development
- D.Ministry of Rural Development
The Census of India is conducted by the Government of India, which is headed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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