New Accessible India App launched at Purple Fest

“Taking a significant step towards building a digitally inclusive India, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, launched the new ‘Sugamya Bharat App’ at the Purple Fest in Goa”

NEW DELHI 12/10/2025 SANTOSH SETH 

The launch was led by Mr. Rajesh Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, at the ALIMCO stall, with Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary, Ms. Richa Shankar, Deputy Director General, Ms. Debolina Thakur, Joint Secretary (Financial Advisor), and Mr. Praveen Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director, ALIMCO.

Redesigned with a user-first and accessibility-first mindset, the Sugamya Bharat App is envisioned as India’s digital accessibility hub—bringing information, schemes, and services directly to the fingertips of persons with disabilities.

Developed in collaboration with SBI Foundation and in technical partnership with NAB Delhi, iSTEM and Mission Accessibility, the app offers a seamless, intuitive interface with screen reader compatibility, voice navigation and multilingual support, ensuring that no user is left behind.

This new app is the first of its kind, a one-stop digital solution that offers a wide range of features. Its accessible mapping feature allows users to locate and rate public spaces based on accessibility parameters, empowering community-based data collection.

A consolidated directory of government schemes, scholarships, benefits, and employment opportunities is available at a single click, eliminating the need to navigate multiple portals.

The app also includes a list of government and private sector jobs and education specifically tailored for persons with disabilities.

Through its grievance redressal module, users can directly lodge complaints about inaccessible infrastructure and services, making public spaces more accountable.

Designed inclusively, the app is compatible with assistive technologies, available in multiple Indian languages, and optimized for both Android and iOS platforms.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Rajesh Agarwal said that the new Accessible India app is not just a technological upgrade—it is a gateway to empowerment.

He further added, “It connects people with disabilities to the power to demand opportunities, information, and accessibility through their smartphones.” Mr. Jagannath Sahu, Chairman, SBI Foundation, expressed his pride in supporting this transformative initiative, noting that inclusive technology can bridge social gaps and unleash the potential of millions.

The launch ceremony was attended by dignitaries including SBI Foundation Chairman Jagannath Sahu and CEO Shashi Bhushan, as well as National Association for the Blind (NAB Delhi) President P.D. Dahriyal and General Secretary Prashant Ranjan Verma.

Originally launched under the Accessible India Campaign, the app serves as a citizen-led platform to make India’s public spaces more inclusive.

With this transformation, it has evolved into a comprehensive, mobile-based accessibility ecosystem that enables people with disabilities to not only access information but also shape the accessibility landscape.