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Use of appropriate terms for ‘person with disability’ and ‘Divyangjan’ in the communication / signage / announcement / Booking Portal of Indian Railways

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Use of appropriate terms for ‘person with disability’ and ‘Divyangjan’ in the communication / signage / announcement / Booking Portal of Indian Railways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No.2025 / E(LL) / RPwD / 1

New Delhi, dated: 18.05.2025

The General Managers, All Indian Railways and Production Units.
Metro Railway / Kolkata, CORE / Prayagraj
The CAO (Construction), All Indian Railways.
The Director General, RDSO / Lucknow
The DG / Railway Staff College / Vadodara
The Directors, IRICEN, IRIEEN, IRISET, IRIMEE, IRITM
The CAO, COFMOW, Tilak Bridge, New Delhi
The CAO, MTP, Chennai and Mumbai
The Chief Administrative Officer, Rail Coach Factory, Delhi.

Sub: Use of appropriate terms for ‘person with disability’ and ‘Divyangjan’ in the communication / signage / announcement / Booking Portal of Indian Railways.

Please find enclosed herewith letter from Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment’s letter No.P-13013 / 26 / 2025-DD-3 dated 25.04.2022 regarding use of the term “person with disability’ in English and ‘Divyangjan’ in Hindi in the Indian Railways Portal and communication / signage / announcements while addressing Persons with Disabilities.

2. All Zonal Railways / PUs / CPSEs etc. are requested to ensure compliance with these instructions.

DA: As above.

(Praveen Kumar)
Director / Estt.(L.L.)
Railway Board
Tel No.011-23047188
Email: dell@rb.railnet.gov.in

F.No. P-13013 / 26 / 2025 DD-3
Government of India
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)

Pt. Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan,
CGO Complex, New Delhi- 110003
Dated the 25th April, 2025

Office Memorandum

Sub:- Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised during Zero Hour of Lok Sabha on 16.03.2025 by Dr. DNV Senthilkumar. S, Hon’ble M. P. – reg.

The undersigned is directed to say that India is a signatory to the United had Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Central Government enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025 in line with this Convention. The term “persons with disabilities” has been used in the english text of the Act, whereas, in the Hindi text of the Act, the term “Divyangjan” has been used.

2. It has been brought to the notice of this Ministry by Dr. DNV Senthilkumar. S, Hon’ble M.P. through a matter of urgent public importance in Lok Sabha on 16.03.2025 that in the IRCTC booking portal, under the dropdown list, the term ‘Divyang’ is mentioned instead of the word ‘physically challenged’. He urged Ministry of Railways to make necessary corrections in the portal.

3. In view of above M/o Railways is requested to use the term “person with disability”. in English and “Divyangjan” in Hindi in their Portal and communications / signage / announcements while addressing Persons with Disabilities. Appropriate instructions may also be issued to IRCTC accordingly to make necessary changes in their portal.

4. This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.

(D.K. Panda)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tel: 24269059

Source: https://indianrailways.gov.in/

Here’s a clear and up-to-date summary of the official policy on appropriate terminology for disability in Indian Railways communications, signage, announcements, and the booking portal, based on Railway Board directives:

📌 Official Terminology Guidelines (Railway Board Order – May 18, 2025)

  • A Railway Board order (No. 2025/E(LL)/RPwD/1 dated 18‑May‑2025) mandates:
    • Use “person with disability” in English communications (e.g. web portals, printed signage, public announcements).
    • Use “Divyangjan” only in Hindi versions of text and announcements.
  • This order aligns with a government directive from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment dated 25‑Apr‑2025.

🌐 Context & Rationale

  • The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 legally uses “persons with disabilities” in English, and “Divyangjan” in Hindi, reinforcing the standardization.
  • Use of terms like ‘viklang’, ‘physically challenged’, ‘retardation’ has been officially phased out in policies and concession certificates.
  • In 2018, Railways replaced “viklang” with “Divyang” in forms and concession categories.
  • Recently, after advocacy by concerned citizens and directives from the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, Railways replaced the term “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” on concession paperwork.

✅ Recommended Usage Across Railway Channels

Medium Recommended English Term Recommended Hindi Term
Announcement systems Person with disability दिव्यांगजन (Divyangjan)
Signage at stations & coaches Person with disability दिव्यांगजन (Divyangjan)
Booking portals & IRCTC Person with disability Divyang / Divyangjan (Hindi UI)
Concession forms & ID documentation Person with disability Divyangjan
Public-facing printed material Person with disability दिव्यांगजन

🧭 Why This Matters

  • Ensures compliance with RPwD Act, 2025 and conforms to the UNCRPD.
  • Replaces outdated or derogatory terms with language that conveys dignity and respect.
  • Increases clarity and comprehension—especially for non-Hindi users, tips of confusion (e.g. IRCTC dropdown showing “Divyang” alone caused difficulties).

👥 Public & User Feedback (Community Observations)

  • Some users have noted that railway announcements sometimes continue using terms like “Divyang” or older terms like “viklang” or “viklangjan”, which cause confusion.
  • In certain forums, people report coaches reserved for specially‑abled passengers being misused by able-bodied commuters—highlighting the need for better clarity and enforcement.

🛠 Implementation Guidance

  • 📢 Public Announcement Scripts: Use “persons with disability” in English, and “divyangjan” in Hindi by default.
  • 🧾 Printed Signage & Notices: English: “Persons with Disability”. Hindi content: use “दिव्यांगजन”.
  • 🖥️ Booking Interfaces (IRCTC, UTS, etc.): Use English label “Persons with Disabilities” in UI, and “Divyangjan” for Hindi version.
  • 📂 Forms & Certificates: Use updated phrasing like “intellectual disability” instead of older terms like “mental retardation”.

Let me know if you’d like specific wording for announcements, signage mock-ups, booking interface labels, or help auditing material for compliance with this policy.

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