Pacta's research on data gaps and systemic barriers in access to justice for persons with disabilities across India, informing evidence-based policy reform. Access to Justice For Persons with Disabilities in India Access to justice is a foundational right and a necessary condition for the realisation of all other rights. Yet, for persons with disabilities in India, the justice system remains difficult to navigate — marked by physical, procedural, attitudinal, and systemic barriers. Pacta's research emerges from our sustained engagement with the intersections of law, policy, and disability rights, and is grounded in the belief that justice systems must be designed to serve everyone. Our Research Full Report - Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities in India Booklet - Summary of Findings and Recommendations Audio Overview of Findings and Recommendations Accessible version of our full report (Screen-reader friendly) Report Launch Event - Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities in India Data Insights on Decisions of India’s Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in 2024 Justice X Data The Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities in India report is a first of its kind research study. This report carves out the legal mandate for an inclusive justice system for persons with disabilities and maps it against data mandates and publicly available data, in an attempt towards the attainment of the constitutional vision of justice for all citizens in India. By mapping the presence — and significant absence of data, this report seeks to identify systemic blind spots, encourage transparent reporting, and advocate for evidence-based reforms that promote accountability and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Justice systems of Police, Prisons, Judiciary and Legal Aid. The report draws primarily on government-published datasets and public documents. It is further informed by jurisprudence, secondary research, and field-level insights, including 417 RTI application responses. Who is it for? This work isintended for policy-makers, civil society actors, researchers, and justice sector stake-holders who are committed to transformingthe justice system into one that reflects the diversity and dignity of all its users. Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities across the Four Pillars of the Justice System Disability and the Police Disability and Prisons Disability and the Judiciary Disability and Legal Aid Mandates for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Justice System United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 + Rules Harmonised Guidelines 2021 MHA Accessibility Guidelines 2021 Supreme Court Accessibility Report 2023 Special courts and prosecutors, disability training mandates Prison Rules, Jail Manuals How can Persons with Disabilities be Included in the System? As Users of the System Persons with disabilities as justice seekers As a part of Human Resources Persons with disabilities as justice providers Through Accessible Infrastructure Physical and digital accessibility and inclusion Through System Response Disability aware and disability responsive systems Where are we on inclusive justice systems? How do we strengthen disability inclusion? What immediate action can be taken? Findings The findings highlights the systemic lack of data across the justice system vis-a-vis persons with disabilities, and implementation of measures of inclusion despite mandates for disability inclusion urges the case for better data collection and public reporting of such data. Recommendations Recommendations focus on disability inclusion in the justice system through awareness, enforcement of reservation policies, infrastructure accessibility, and comprehensive data collection. Checklists The research has enabled the creation of data collection checklists that can guide disability data collection initiatives by each of the justice institutions - Police, Prisons, Judiciary and Legal Aid. Pillar-wise Findings, Recommendations and Checklists Police - Findings (pdf) Police - Recommendations (pdf) Police - Checklists (pdf) Findings Recommendations Checklists Prisons - Findings (pdf) Prisons - Recommendations (pdf) Prisons - Checklists (pdf) Findings Recommendations Checklists Judiciary - Findings (pdf) Judiciary - Recommendations (pdf) Judiciary - Checklists (pdf) Findings Recommendations Checklists Legal Aid - Findings (pdf) Legal Aid - Recommendations (pdf) Legal Aid - Checklists (pdf) Findings Recommendations Checklists As India makes strides towards making its public systems inclusive and accessible for all, we hope that this report serves as a repository of baseline data, and spurs action towards data collection and reporting of persons with disabilities in the justice system. As India makes strides towards making its public systems inclusive and accessible for all, we hope that this report serves as a repository of baseline data, and spurs action towards data collection and reporting of persons with disabilities in the justice system. As India makes strides towards making its public systems inclusive and accessible for all, we hope that this report serves as a repository of baseline data, and spurs action towards data collection and reporting of persons with disabilities in the justice system. As India makes strides towards making its public systems inclusive and accessible for all, we hope that this report serves as a repository of baseline data, and spurs action towards data collection and reporting of persons with disabilities in the justice system. At the heart of the problem is a profound data vacuum. Disability disaggregated data across all components of the justice system is rare, inconsistent, or absent. The maxim “what doesn’t get measured, doesn’t get done” rings especially true here. This report addresses that gap, and in doing so, performs a foundational public service. By collecting, analysing, and systematising data on accessibility across the justice system, it creates the conditions necessary for reform. - Dr Justice D Y Chandrachud

Pacta's convenings, report launches, webinars, consultations on law and policy in themes of disability, philanthropy and technology. Webinars and workshops on legal capacity building for non-profit , NGO leaders, social sector leaders. UPCOMING EVENTS August 2025 DETAILS COMING SOON LEARNING SPACES III Learning Spaces is Pacta's flagship program for legal capacity development for social sector finance, legal, administrative professionals and founders. Through Learning S paces we demystify compliances under Income Tax Act, Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, Labour Laws and Companies Act.

A research-based look at how philanthropic and CSR funding reaches (or fails to reach) India's disability sector, with data-driven insights for funders and NPOs. The Landscape of Funding for Disability in India Breaking the low-investment equilibrium in the Indian disability sector Disability non-profit organisations in India fill critical gaps left by government programmes, by focusing on grassroots implementation and direct community support. Their unique role lies in bridging the intent and promises of rights and policy to becoming embodied and experienced realities of persons with disabilities. Despite disability NPOs doing critical work, even old and relatively large NPOs face significant funding fragility. Resources Report - The Landscape of Funding for Disability in India Screen-reader Friendly Version of the Report Convenings Bangalore Convening - May 6, 2026 Mumbai Convening - May 12, 2026 Delhi Convening - June 12, 2026 Press The Hindu - May 13, 2026 Deccan Herald - May 14, 2026 The CSR Universe - June 24, 2026 India Development Review - June 25, 2026 Radio Udaan (Podcast) - May 28, 2026 of all NPOs in India work on disability (62,556 disability NPOs) but only of all Central Government budget (₹45 Lakh Cr) is spent on Persons with Disabilities (₹1015 Cr) (2022) of total CSR (₹26 Thousand Cr) is spent on disability as a thematic category (₹234 Cr) (2022) Three mutually reinforcing forces trap disability in a structural underfunding trap — each making the others worse. Disability receives 0.04% of GDP. Only 1 state and 3 central ministries track disability spending. Without public data or political salien ce, disability struggles to attract philanthropic attention. Government indifference signals low priority to all other funders. Low government prioritisation Just 0.9% of total CSR goes to disability. HNIs and family foundations rarely prioritise disability. Without philanthropic funding, disability NPOs remain small and unable to demonstrate the scale and governance that would attract more funding. Low philanthropic funding Under-resourced NPOs lack fundraising staff, impact data, and donor networks. This makes them appear less fundable — not because their work is weak, but because they cannot communicate it effectively. This reinforces funder reluctance, completing the cycle. Weak NPO ecosystem Low-investment Equilibrium Low government prioritisation through low budgets, inaccurate data and poor outcomes tracking Low NPO capacity to secure funding Low philanthropic interest and allocation The Low- investment Equilibrium . . . 50% of national sample surveys do not capture disability-disaggregated data India has not adopted disability indicators in 5 out of 6 SDGs that include disability in the Global (SDG) Indicator Framework

Pacta's legal, research and public policy services for government and multilateral institutions. GOVERNMENT & MULTILATERALS How does Pacta serve Government and Multilaterals? Our services include monitoring and evaluation of programs, legislative and policy drafting, and research to support digital transformations in the public sector. Leveraging data analysis, we author evidence-based policy briefs across education, gender & disability inclusion,data and technology. CASE STUDY Anchor 1 UNITED NATIONS WOMEN Exploratory Study to Assess the Implementation of Three Laws on Promoting Gender Equality in the Corporate Sector in India Read Report CASE STUDY Anchor 1 DIRECTORATE FOR WELFARE OF THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED, GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU AND WORLD BANK Monitoring and Evaluation of the Social Registry Enrolment process in 38 districts in Tamil Nadu CLIENTS & PARTNERS

Drafting contracts and legal due diligence in land acquisition, construction, for schools, univerisity, biodiversity parks, hospitals INFRASTRUCTURE & REAL ESTATE Pacta provides legal documentation support in engineering and construction projects for schools, universities, hospitals, bio-parks, libraries, museums, archives, office premises, community centers, sports complexes, and waste management facilities. Lease, sale, build-operate-transfer, and license agreements Legal due diligence prior to land purchase Tenders, agreements, and approvals for development projects Issuing notices and responding to notices from landowners and statutory authorities

legal for philanthropy, charitable organisations, NGOs, non-profits, law and policy research WHO WE SERVE Download NGOs & CSOs Download HNIs & PHILANTHROPIES Download EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Download GOVERNMENTS & MULTILATERALS THINK TANKS & RESEARCH INITIATIVES Download CORPORATES & SOCIAL IMPACT Download How We Serve GO Legal services for nonprofits and social enterprises, aligned with the ethics of public service Legal Consulting GO To reduce and close gaps in the translation from intent to implementation of laws and policies Research GO Empowering changemakers through training and knowledge-sharing initiatives on laws and policies Capacity Building CLIENTS & PARTNERS

Legal compliance and contracts for ed-tech, schools, education based NGOs EDUCATION & LEARNING We retain a strong focus on the education sector across formal and informal learning systems, equality of access to education, and ed-tech. We work with schools, educational content management solutions, and learning management solutions to enable and enhance high-quality learning. Set up private unaided K-12 schools, early childhood care and education centers (ECCE), and special schools across different boards such as IB, Cambridge, CBSE, ICSE, State Board, and Open School (NIOS) Set up day-care/crèche and child-care centers Legal support for accreditation and recognition of higher education institutions by UGC, AICTE, and NCTE Legal audits for educational institutions School franchise agreements, book-publishing agreements, and LMS agreements Child protection, well-being, and safety policies; POCSO (Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences) advisory

Subscribe to Pacta's newsletter for updates on law and policy research, upcoming events, and insights on India's social impact sector. NEWSLETTERS PULSE BY PACTA Legal Updates for the Social Sector The Pulse is Pacta’s in-house periodic newsletter that carries legal updates for the social sector. We decrypt legalese into digestible, relevant & actionable content. In every issue, we pick a subject – a new law, amendment or judgement and contextualise it for non-profit founders and administrators. GO TO PULSE NEWSLETTER DISABILITY BULLETIN Developments in Disability Law & Policy The Disability Bulletin simplifies legal and policy updates related to disability rights. We decode complex regulations into relevant, actionable insights. Each issue focuses on a specific law, policy, or judgment and contextualizes it for disability advocates, non-profits, and organizations working towards strengthening disability right. GO TO DISABILITY BULLETIN

Legal research and advisory on online dispute resolution (ODR) and mediation in India, including policy gaps in access to justice for underserved communities. DISPUTE RESOLUTION Some civil society organizations work towards securing fundamental rights for various marginalized groups - victims of gender, class, and caste-based violence/injustice, child trafficking, environmental protection, and more - by taking the fight for justice before the courts or judicial authorities. Typically, nonprofits do not engage in fostering conflict and have little inclination for litigation. However, if the need arises, we can support you with : Legal Research Public Interest Litigation Civil and Commercial Litigation Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including arbitration

NGO setup and governance for legal compliance, operational readiness and funding readiness. INSTITUTIONAL SET UP & GOVERNANCE Pacta is a trusted friend of social enterprises—non-profits (Trusts, Societies, Companies), purpose-driven social entities, and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives. Our experience includes handling the entire gamut of work for the setup and operation of social enterprises. Incorporation of Trusts/Societies/Section 8 Companies Incorporation of Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Companies Incorporation and Governance of Hybrid Entities Setup of Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) Setup of Incubators/Accelerators Setting Up Liaison Offices of Foreign Charities in India Setting Up Branch Offices of Indian Charities Abroad Compliance of Websites/Applications with Data Privacy/ Information Technology Laws Setting Up Robust Governance Policies and Practices