UP News: Yogi Govt Announces 5% Reservation for Divyangjan in Skill Training, Acid Attack Survivors to Get Priority

The Uttar Pradesh government has mandated a 5% reservation for Divyangjan in all short-term skill training batches, including special priority for acid attack survivor women. The policy aims to foster inclusive development, boost employment opportunities, and rebuild confidence and self-reliance through training across districts for 2026-27.

In a major initiative aimed at empowering specially-abled and vulnerable sections of society, the Uttar Pradesh government has made it mandatory to reserve 5 percent seats for Divyangjan in every batch of short-term skill training programmes being conducted across the state under the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission.

The decision has been taken as part of the Yogi government's efforts to ensure inclusive development and connect deprived communities with employment-oriented training opportunities. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Kapil Dev Agarwal said that acid attack survivors would also receive special priority in skill development programmes. Referring to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, he said acid attack survivors have been included in the category of Divyangjan and are therefore entitled to the benefits provided under the scheme.

He said that if any acid attack survivor woman is willing and eligible for training, officials must ensure her registration on a priority basis. According to him, skill development is not only a medium for employment generation but also an important tool for restoring confidence, dignity and self-reliance among affected women.

The minister stated that the government's objective is to provide equal opportunities to such women and help them build a new identity in society through training and employment support. Under the direction of Mission Director Pulkit Khare, District Programme Management Units (DPMUs) across all districts have been instructed to ensure proper implementation of the reservation policy in training batches scheduled for the financial year 2026-27.

Officials have also been directed to coordinate with District Probation Officers of the Women Welfare Department and the Child Development and Nutrition Department to prepare district-wise data of acid attack survivor women and connect maximum eligible beneficiaries with the scheme.

The government has appealed to all concerned departments and officials to ensure effective implementation of the initiative so that the maximum number of needy women can benefit from skill development and employment opportunities.