A Deloitte South Asia-EnAble India report estimates India's disability economy at $150 billion and projects it could reach $500 billion with greater inclusion and accessibility. According to the report, the larger estimate reflects the market's full potential before accounting for affordability and access constraints. The conservative base of 100 million persons with disabilities was used to calculate the current market size across healthcare and rehabilitation, education and vocational training, assistive technologies, daily living and financial services sectors.
The report proposes a 'Purple Economy' framework that seeks to integrate persons with disabilities into mainstream economic activity as workers, entrepreneurs, consumers and innovators. Key recommendations include dedicated Purple Economic Zones to bring together skilling, manufacturing, enterprise development, assistive technology, procurement and support services. Additionally, the framework calls for interoperable digital public infrastructure to improve access to jobs, finance, government schemes and service providers.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary called on companies to undertake 'purple audits' and disclose the representation of persons with disabilities across their workforce. As reported by Business Standard, Chaudhary highlighted that 38% of corporates surveyed said they don't have a single disabled employee, indicating a lack of sensitivity in hiring practices. He emphasized that employing persons with disabilities in consumer-facing roles could help normalise inclusion and reshape societal perceptions.
The report highlights significant structural gaps that constrain economic participation. Workforce participation among persons with disabilities stands at 36%, compared with 60% among those without disabilities, while literacy rates are 52.8% against the national average of 72.98%. According to the report, fewer than 25% of workplaces have accessible infrastructure, and only 685,273 of 79.4 million Udyam-registered MSMEs are led by persons with disabilities. Citing international estimates, the report adds that disability exclusion could reduce a country's GDP by 3-7%.
