{"id":8590,"date":"2025-07-27T14:35:53","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T14:35:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railtravels.org\/?p=8590"},"modified":"2025-07-27T14:35:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T14:35:53","slug":"use-of-appropriate-terms-for-person-with-disability-and-divyangjan-in-the-communication-signage-announcement-booking-portal-of-indian-railways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/use-of-appropriate-terms-for-person-with-disability-and-divyangjan-in-the-communication-signage-announcement-booking-portal-of-indian-railways\/","title":{"rendered":"Use of appropriate terms for \u2018person with disability\u2019 and \u2018Divyangjan\u2019 in the communication \/ signage \/ announcement \/ Booking Portal of Indian Railways"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Use of appropriate terms for \u2018person with disability\u2019 and \u2018Divyangjan\u2019 in the communication \/ signage \/ announcement \/ Booking Portal of Indian Railways<\/strong><\/p>\n

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA<\/strong>
\nMINISTRY OF RAILWAYS<\/strong>
\nRAILWAY BOARD<\/strong><\/p>\n

No.2025 \/ E(LL) \/ RPwD \/ 1<\/p>\n

New Delhi, dated: 18.05.2025<\/p>\n

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

Sub:\u00a0Use of appropriate terms for \u2018person with disability\u2019 and \u2018Divyangjan\u2019 in the communication \/ signage \/ announcement \/ Booking Portal of Indian Railways.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please find enclosed herewith letter from Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment\u2019s letter No.P-13013 \/ 26 \/ 2025-DD-3 dated 25.04.2022 regarding use of the term \u201cperson with disability\u2019 in English and \u2018Divyangjan\u2019 in Hindi in the Indian Railways Portal and communication \/ signage \/ announcements while addressing Persons with Disabilities.<\/p>\n

2. All Zonal Railways \/ PUs \/ CPSEs etc. are requested to ensure compliance with these instructions.<\/p>\n

DA: As above.<\/p>\n

(Praveen Kumar)<\/strong>
\nDirector \/ Estt.(L.L.)<\/strong>
\nRailway Board<\/strong>
\nTel No.011-23047188
\nEmail: dell@rb.railnet.gov.in<\/p>\n

F.No. P-13013 \/ 26 \/ 2025 DD-3
\nGovernment of India<\/strong>
\nMinistry of Social Justice & Empowerment<\/strong>
\nDepartment of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pt. Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan,
\nCGO Complex, New Delhi- 110003
\nDated the 25th April, 2025<\/p>\n

Office Memorandum<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sub:-\u00a0Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised during Zero Hour of Lok Sabha on 16.03.2025 by Dr. DNV Senthilkumar. S, Hon\u2019ble M. P. \u2013 reg.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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 \u201cpersons with disabilities\u201d has been used in the english text of the Act, whereas, in the Hindi text of the Act, the term \u201cDivyangjan\u201d has been used.<\/p>\n

2. It has been brought to the notice of this Ministry by Dr. DNV Senthilkumar. S, Hon\u2019ble 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 \u2018Divyang\u2019 is mentioned instead of the word \u2018physically challenged\u2019. He urged Ministry of Railways to make necessary corrections in the portal.<\/p>\n

3. In view of above M\/o Railways is requested to use the term \u201cperson with disability\u201d. in English and \u201cDivyangjan\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

4. This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.<\/p>\n

(D.K. Panda)<\/strong>
\nUnder Secretary to the Govt. of India<\/strong>
\nTel: 24269059<\/strong><\/p>\n

Source:\u00a0https:\/\/indianrailways.gov.in\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a clear and up-to-date summary of the official policy on appropriate terminology<\/strong> for disability in Indian Railways communications, signage, announcements, and the booking portal<\/strong>, based on Railway Board directives:<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udccc Official Terminology Guidelines (Railway Board Order \u2013 May 18, 2025)<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • A Railway Board order (No.\u202f2025\/E(LL)\/RPwD\/1 dated 18\u2011May\u20112025<\/strong>) mandates:\n
      \n
    • Use \u201cperson with disability\u201d<\/strong> in English<\/strong> communications (e.g. web portals, printed signage, public announcements).<\/li>\n
    • Use \u201cDivyangjan\u201d<\/strong> only in Hindi<\/strong> versions of text and announcements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • This order aligns with a government directive from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment<\/strong> dated 25\u2011Apr\u20112025<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n

      \ud83c\udf10 Context & Rationale<\/h2>\n
        \n
      • The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016<\/strong> legally uses \u201cpersons with disabilities\u201d<\/strong> in English, and \u201cDivyangjan\u201d<\/strong> in Hindi, reinforcing the standardization.<\/li>\n
      • Use of terms like \u2018viklang\u2019, \u2018physically challenged\u2019, \u2018retardation\u2019<\/strong> has been officially phased out in policies and concession certificates.<\/li>\n
      • In 2018, Railways replaced \u201cviklang\u201d with \u201cDivyang\u201d<\/strong> in forms and concession categories.<\/li>\n
      • Recently, after advocacy by concerned citizens and directives from the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, Railways replaced the term \u201cmental retardation\u201d<\/strong> with \u201cintellectual disability\u201d<\/strong> on concession paperwork.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n

        \u2705 Recommended Usage Across Railway Channels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Medium<\/th>\nRecommended English Term<\/th>\nRecommended Hindi Term<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        Announcement systems<\/td>\nPerson with disability<\/td>\n\u0926\u093f\u0935\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0902\u0917\u091c\u0928 (Divyangjan)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Signage at stations & coaches<\/td>\nPerson with disability<\/td>\n\u0926\u093f\u0935\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0902\u0917\u091c\u0928 (Divyangjan)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Booking portals & IRCTC<\/td>\nPerson with disability<\/td>\nDivyang \/ Divyangjan (Hindi UI)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Concession forms & ID documentation<\/td>\nPerson with disability<\/td>\nDivyangjan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Public-facing printed material<\/td>\nPerson with disability<\/td>\n\u0926\u093f\u0935\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0902\u0917\u091c\u0928<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
        \n

        \ud83e\udded Why This Matters<\/h2>\n
          \n
        • Ensures compliance with RPwD Act, 2025<\/strong> and conforms to the UNCRPD.<\/li>\n
        • Replaces outdated or derogatory terms with language that conveys dignity and respect<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
        • Increases clarity and comprehension\u2014especially for non-Hindi users, tips of confusion (e.g. IRCTC dropdown showing \u201cDivyang\u201d alone caused difficulties).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n

          \ud83d\udc65 Public & User Feedback (Community Observations)<\/h2>\n
            \n
          • Some users have noted that railway announcements sometimes continue using terms like \u201cDivyang\u201d or older terms like \u201cviklang\u201d or \u201cviklangjan\u201d, which cause confusion.<\/li>\n
          • In certain forums, people report coaches reserved for specially\u2011abled passengers being misused by able-bodied commuters\u2014highlighting the need for better clarity and enforcement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n

            \ud83d\udee0 Implementation Guidance<\/h2>\n
              \n
            • \ud83d\udce2 Public Announcement Scripts<\/strong>: Use \u201cpersons with disability\u201d in English, and \u201cdivyangjan\u201d in Hindi by default.<\/li>\n
            • \ud83e\uddfe Printed Signage & Notices<\/strong>: English: \u201cPersons with Disability\u201d. Hindi content: use \u201c\u0926\u093f\u0935\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0902\u0917\u091c\u0928\u201d.<\/li>\n
            • \ud83d\udda5\ufe0f Booking Interfaces (IRCTC, UTS, etc.)<\/strong>: Use English label \u201cPersons with Disabilities\u201d in UI, and \u201cDivyangjan\u201d for Hindi version.<\/li>\n
            • \ud83d\udcc2 Forms & Certificates<\/strong>: Use updated phrasing like \u201cintellectual disability\u201d instead of older terms like \u201cmental retardation\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \n

              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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Use of appropriate terms for \u2018person with disability\u2019 and \u2018Divyangjan\u2019 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, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,38,7],"tags":[759,760,4,74,6],"class_list":["post-8590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-irctc","category-irctc-news","category-railway","tag-divyang-passengers","tag-divyangs","tag-irctc","tag-irctc-news","tag-railway"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/102"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8590"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8590\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}