Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 25: The Karnataka government has issued the draft Karnataka Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Employment and Education Bill, 2025, proposing sweeping reforms in recruitment, workplace rights and access to education for persons with disabilities. The draft, published in the official gazette on November 21, seeks to align state policy with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Under the proposal, private establishments with 20 or more employees must reserve 5 percent of sanctioned posts for persons with disabilities. The quota will apply to direct recruitment as well as regularised posts and will be rolled out in phases. Employers must file annual compliance reports, distribute vacancies across disability categories as prescribed by a new State Regulatory Authority and carry forward unfilled posts for up to three recruitment cycles. Exemptions will be permitted only in roles where essential functions cannot be performed even with reasonable accommodation.
Violations may attract penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 5 lac, in addition to corrective directives and public disclosure of non-compliance. Fraudulent disability claims may draw fines up to Rs 1 lac and imprisonment of up to two years. The government may also extend incentives such as procurement preference and certification for compliant organisations.
The draft bill prohibits discrimination in recruitment, promotions, training and service conditions. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations, including assistive devices, flexible work options and necessary physical modifications. If an employer denies accommodation citing undue hardship, the reasons must be given in writing and may be reviewed by the proposed State Regulatory Authority. Disability-related information may be disclosed only with informed consent, except when required for safety or legal purposes. The draft further states that employees who acquire disabilities during service cannot be demoted or terminated and must be reassigned or placed in a supernumerary post.
In education, the bill mandates that all institutions reserve 10 percent of seats in every course for students with disabilities. Institutions must offer reasonable accommodations during admissions, classroom learning and examinations, including extended time, scribes and alternative question papers. They will be required to ensure accessible infrastructure and digital platforms, prepare Accessibility and Inclusion Plans within six months and achieve full accessibility within five years. Students with disabilities will receive benefits such as a five-year age relaxation and a 5 percent cut-off relaxation.
The draft also directs banks to make educational loans accessible at concessional rates with simplified documentation and dedicated facilitators. Unfilled seats may be carried forward for three years.
A State Regulatory Authority will be set up to monitor compliance, conduct audits, issue advisories and publish annual reports, while a State Enforcement Authority will adjudicate complaints and award compensation. All establishments and educational institutions must appoint trained grievance redressal officers and provide multiple accessible channels for complaints.
The government has invited objections and suggestions within 30 days of publication, addressed to the principal secretary, labour department, Vikasa Soudha, Bengaluru.