National Abilympics 2025 Opens in Delhi as India Faces Rising Urgency in Disability Inclusion and Skilling

Finalists from over 20 states compete for a place at the Finland Abilympics while Sarthak Educational Trust proposes a university dedicated to bridging gaps in early intervention, assistive technology, and education

The 12th National Abilympics Skill Competitions and the 12th National Conference on Disability opened in New Delhi today, establishing a powerful platform for promoting disability inclusion, vocational skill development, and systemic change. Held at the Civil Services Officers Institute in Chanakyapuri, the event is jointly organised by Sarthak Educational Trust and the National Abilympic Association of India with support from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, TPCDT, and IndusInd Bank.
The two-day event follows four regional Abilympics held earlier this year in Chennai, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Guwahati. It brings together 59 regional medallists from more than 20 states who qualified through zonal contests from a pool of over 500 participants. These finalists are competing across diverse skill categories including engineering design, desktop publishing, photography, basket making, cake decoration, cleaning services, massage, and more. Winners will qualify to represent India at the International Abilympics 2027 in Finland, globally regarded as the vocational Olympics for Persons with Disabilities.

The event was inaugurated by key dignitaries including Dr. Vineet Joshi, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Shri Rajiv Kumar, Former Chief Election Commissioner, and Shri Himal Tewari, CHRO and Head of CSR at Tata Power. Leaders underscored the urgency for deeper collaboration across sectors to bridge the gap in disability inclusion and enable structural reforms.
Dr. Vineet Joshi shared that the experience served as a strong reminder of how India must act collectively and decisively. He called for a national institution that can unify inclusive education, assistive innovation, early intervention, and specialised skilling. His remarks echoed the pressing need for models like Sarthak’s life-cycle approach to be scaled nationwide in order to ensure equitable participation in Viksit Bharat 2047.

On the opening day, Sarthak formally announced its proposal for the Sarthak Global University, India’s first dedicated institution for disability studies, to be submitted to the University Grants Commission. This proposed university aims to become a centre for inclusive curriculum design, assistive research, teacher training, and vocational education.
Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary-General of the National Abilympic Association of India and Founder and CEO of Sarthak Educational Trust, highlighted that India currently lacks the foundational infrastructure required to support over 2.68 crore Persons with Disabilities. He cited a 70 percent shortage of rehabilitation professionals, a 50 percent shortfall in special educators, and fewer than 60 certified accessibility auditors across the country. He urged regulators to consider Sarthak’s proposal as a strategic solution for long-term inclusion.

Since its founding, Sarthak has trained and placed 1.25 lakh PwDs and reached more than 5.3 million people through direct interventions and awareness programs. Its network covers 2,000 locations, of which over 60 percent are in rural and underserved areas.
The parallel National Conference on Disability has opened with the theme Sustainable Development Goals and Disability Inclusion. It features expert sessions on universal design, early intervention, accessible employment, assistive tools, and the role of PwDs in shaping narratives and policy.

As the national finals continue into Day Two, anticipation builds around the winners who will begin preparing to represent India in Finland. With wide participation from government, corporates, and civil society, this year’s Abilympics and conference together mark a defining moment in India’s disability inclusion journey.

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