Acid Ingestion Now Covered Under the RPwD Act, 2016
GS PAPER II — Governance & Social Justice
Why in News?
The Union Government has amended the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 to bring acid ingestion within its compensation and support framework — extending protections previously limited to external acid attack victims.
Key Facts for Prelims
- The amendment expands RPwD Act coverage to include acid ingestion (accidental or intentional consumption of acid causing disability), not just external acid attacks.
- Earlier, only victims of external acid attacks were explicitly recognised under the Act’s disability framework.
- Benefits now available to acid ingestion victims include a disability certificate, reservation in education and employment (subject to eligibility), rehabilitation, and social security and financial assistance.
- The RPwD Act, 2016 itself was enacted to implement India’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), ratified by India in 2007.
- It replaced the earlier Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
- The Act increased the number of legally recognised disabilities from 7 to 21.
- It mandates reservation of 4% in government jobs and 5% in higher educational institutions for persons with disabilities.
- The Act also mandates barrier-free accessibility and non-discrimination for persons with disabilities.
UPSC Note — Prelims Angle
Memorise the 7-to-21 disability expansion and the 4%/5% reservation figures precisely — these are among the most frequently tested RPwD Act numbers.
Note that this amendment is about expanding who qualifies (acid ingestion victims), not about creating a new law — a distinction Prelims often tests.
| Prelims MCQ Practice With reference to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, consider the following statements: 1. The Act was enacted to implement India’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 2. The Act increased the number of recognised disabilities from 7 to 21. 3. The recent amendment includes acid ingestion within the scope of disabilities eligible for benefits under the Act. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (d) All three statements are correct. The RPwD Act, 2016 implements the UNCRPD, expanded recognised disabilities from 7 to 21, and the recent amendment extends benefits to acid ingestion victims alongside acid attack survivors. |
