New Delhi, Dec 6: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the PM e-VIDYA DTH Channel No. 31 for Indian Sign Language (ISL) a special an event in New Delhi on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan highlighted the transformational impact of the expansion of the recognized disabilities from 7 to 21, making the legal framework more comprehensive. He noted that the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) has prioritized the education of Children with Special Needs (CwSN), reflecting a shift towards a more inclusive education system.

Highlighting the importance of ISL, Pradhan stated that sound is not the only medium for communication; alternative forms, such as sign language, play a critical role in ensuring equal opportunities for all. He called for the development of ISL to global standards and its widespread adoption, envisioning more and more individuals learning ISL to support the hearing-impaired population in India. This, he added, would help create employment opportunities as well.

Pradhan also pointed to ISL’s influence in cultural expressions like dance and drama and cited examples of extraordinary individuals, to highlight the immense potential within the differently abled community. He called Channel 31 a bridge to facilitate communication and unlock this potential, making society more inclusive and progressive.

The Minister urged stakeholders to popularize Channel 31 and ensure its reach across India, as a gateway for the world to Indian Sign Language, adding that it sets a benchmark for emerging economies. This initiative, he noted, reaffirms India’s commitment to constitutional rights, ensuring equal access to education and resources for all citizens.

Pradhan concluded by emphasizing that Indian Sign Language has the potential to set global benchmarks, create large-scale job opportunities, and lead India towards a more inclusive future.

Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary also graced the event. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy and Department of Higher Education; Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, NCERT; A Srija, Economic Adviser, DoSEL; and Dr. Sharanjeet Kaur, Chairperson, Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) were also present at the event.

The programme witnessed participation from Hearing Impaired (HI) children, HI achievers, special educators, ISL certified interpreters and organisations working for mainstreaming the Hearing-Impaired community.

This critical initiative supports the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which recommends promotion of Indian Sign Language to foster a more inclusive educational environment.

Para 4.22 of NEP states that ‘Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country, and National and State curriculum materials developed, for use by students with hearing impairment. Local sign languages will be respected and taught as well, where possible and relevant.’

An exclusive PM e-Vidya channel devoted to the promotion of the Indian Sign Language has been conceptualised to promote ISL as a language as well as a school subject, so that the larger population has access to learning the language.

The Channel will disseminate learning content for school children (Central & State Curriculum), teachers, teacher educators and other stakeholders in the area of career guidance, skill training, mental health, class-wise curricular content, communication skills, as well as promotion of Sign Language as a language subject, just like verbal languages like Hindi, English etc., for all.

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