IMPLEMENTATION OF NEP 2020 AND THE RPWD ACT (2016) IN PROMOTING INCLUSIVE SPORTS IN INDIA

Inclusive sports programmes and systems designed to enable participation by persons with disabilities (PwDs) alongside their peers without disabilities are increasingly recognised as a powerful tool for promoting social inclusion, health,educational equity, and livelihood opportunities (Sherrill, 2004). In India, the integration of inclusive sports has gained momentum in recent years, especially following the enactment of two landmark frameworks: the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which legally mandates accessibility and equal opportunity (Government of India, 2016), and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which envisions holistic education where sports and physical education are integral to learning outcomes (Ministry of Education, 2020). Together, these frameworks provide both the legal obligation and policy vision needed to mainstream inclusive sports at all levels.This paper critically examines the relevant provisions of NEP 2020 and the RPwD Act in the context of sports inclusion, reviewing institutional mechanisms and programmes such as Khelo India (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, 2021), the Sports Authority of Indias initiatives (Sports Authority of India, 2022), the Paralympic Committee of India (Paralympic Committee of India, 2022), and other schemes aimed at supporting participation and talent development.