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VOL. 7, ISSUE 6 (2025)
Integrating mental health and disability support services in Indian higher education: A policy analysis under NEP 2020 and RPWD Act 2016
Authors
Dr. Sandhya Sood
Abstract
This paper examines the integration of mental health and disability
support services in Indian higher education, through the lens of two key policy
frameworks: The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) and the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (RPWD Act 2016). While NEP 2020 emphasises
student well-being, inclusive pedagogy and holistic development, the RPWD Act
2016 provides a legal mandate for persons with disabilities—including
intellectual, sensory and psychosocial disabilities—to access equitable
education and reasonable accommodations. Drawing on secondary data from policy
documents, government reports, and academic literature, the analysis identifies
the synergies and gaps between the two frameworks in the context of higher
education. The findings indicate that although both policies signal strong
intentions for inclusion and student support, they largely operate in parallel
rather than in a truly integrated manner. Challenges include limited
institutional coordination between mental-health counselling units and
disability support cells, scarcity of trained professionals, incomplete
infrastructure accessibility, and inadequate monitoring mechanisms. The paper
proposes a conceptual framework for a unified ‘Student Wellness and Inclusion
Support’ model that situates mental health and disability services within a
single institutional structure. This approach aligns with NEP 2020’s vision of
holistic education and the RPWD Act’s rights-based mandate for inclusion. The
study concludes that bridging the current policy-practice divide will require
institutional governance reforms, capacity-building, data-driven monitoring and
culturally-sensitive practices. These steps are crucial for higher education
institutions in India to deliver equitable outcomes for all learners, including
those with mental health needs and disabilities.
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Pages:34-38
How to cite this article:
Dr. Sandhya Sood "Integrating mental health and disability support services in Indian higher education: A policy analysis under NEP 2020 and RPWD Act 2016". International Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Vol 7, Issue 6, 2025, Pages 34-38
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