The Court of the Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) has levied a penalty of Rs 50,000 each on 96 establishments for failing to meet accessibility standards for digital platforms. This action follows an earlier penalty of Rs 10,000 imposed in February on 155 establishments, with a warning of higher penalties for continued non-compliance.
The establishments that now face the increased penalty failed to submit access audit reports or appoint an Integrated Audit & Assurance Professional (IAAP)-certified auditor by mid-June. Furthermore, they did not report initiating the process of appointing auditors. The list of penalized entities includes the Standardisation Testing and Qualify Certification (STQC) Directorate of the ministry of electronics & information technology, along with central ministries, their departments, and several private establishments.
Ministries that are included in the list are cooperation, civil aviation, corporate affairs, drinking water and sanitation, earth sciences, food processing, labour and employment, ports, shipping and waterways, railways, road, transport and highways, skill development and entrepreneurship, statistics and programme implementation, steel, panchayati raj, information and broadcasting and Ayush.
In its order dated June 20, 2025, the CCPD has directed the establishments to deposit the penalty amount in the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities within seven days.
Background and Context
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act) is a landmark law in India that aims to protect the rights and ensure the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. The Act came into effect on April 19, 2017 and it aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), obligating India to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities. Section 40 of the RPWD Act specifically includes Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as being in scope. Section 42 mandates that people with disabilities must have equal ICT access, including websites, digital content, and electronic media. Section 46 requires that all government documents, services, and public information that are digitally available must be accessible.
Digital accessibility is a key focus of the RPwD Act, mandating equal access to websites, mobile applications, and other digital platforms. The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) is responsible for ensuring compliance with these standards.
The CCPD had previously sought access audit reports from all ministries to verify compliance with accessibility standards and to determine if 'access auditors' had been appointed. However, only a small fraction of establishments complied. As of February 2025, only 20 establishments had appointed an access auditor, and only six had submitted access audit reports. These included the Ministry of External Affairs, Tata Digital Private Ltd (Tata Neu), Reliance Industries Ltd (Jio set-top box), National Depository Ltd, Pluxee India Private Ltd and Yatra Online Ltd.
Implications of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with the RPwD Act can result in financial, legal, and reputational consequences. Fines for non-compliance can start at Rs 10,000 for the first offense and escalate to Rs 500,000 for repeated offenses. Non-compliance can also lead to legal action. Moreover, businesses and organizations may experience damaging exposure and public backlash.
Recent Supreme Court judgments have highlighted significant gaps in the implementation of disability rights in India, particularly under the RPwD Act, 2016. These rulings emphasize the need for urgent corrective measures and greater accountability. The Supreme Court has actively intervened to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld, issuing specific directions to various authorities. The court has also mandated that all government buildings and educational institutions be made accessible, emphasizing that accessibility is integral to the right to life and dignity.
