Karnataka draft Bill proposes 5% job quota and 10% education reservation for persons with disabilities

Landmark proposal aims to reshape inclusion in private sector employment and higher education across Karnataka.

The Karnataka government has issued the draft of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Employment and Education Bill, 2025, proposing one of the most extensive frameworks for inclusion in the State’s private sector and higher education system. The draft mandates 5% reservation for persons with disabilities in all private establishments with 20 or more employees and introduces 10% reservation in every course offered by educational institutions.

As per reports, the 5% job quota will be introduced in phases across the private sector. Companies will be required to distribute reserved posts across disability categories through a formula to be finalised by the proposed State Regulatory Authority. Establishments must submit yearly compliance reports and may carry forward unfilled posts for up to three recruitment cycles. Exemptions will apply only when a job’s essential functions cannot be performed even after providing reasonable accommodation.

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In the education sector, the 10% reservation is mandated course-wise, preventing institutions from offsetting seats between programmes. Colleges and universities will need to ensure reasonable accommodation across admission, classroom and examination processes, including scribes, extended time and accessible question formats. Institutions must also prepare detailed Accessibility and Inclusion Plans within six months, while physical and digital infrastructure must achieve full accessibility within five years. Students will be eligible for measures such as a five-year upper-age relaxation, 5% cut-off relaxation, and access to educational loans at concessional rates through simplified procedures.

Beyond reservation, the draft lays out comprehensive protections against discrimination in recruitment, promotions, training opportunities and service conditions. Employers will be required to facilitate reasonable accommodation through assistive devices, workplace modifications and flexible work arrangements. Any refusal based on “undue hardship” must be recorded in writing and can be reviewed by the regulatory authority. Employees who acquire a disability during service must not be terminated or demoted and are to be reassigned or placed in a supernumerary post when necessary. Confidentiality norms restrict disclosure of disability-related information without informed consent.

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To implement and monitor the system, the Bill proposes the creation of two bodies, a State Regulatory Authority to oversee compliance and audits, and a State Enforcement Authority to address complaints and award compensation. All establishments and educational institutions must appoint trained Grievance Redressal Officers and offer multiple accessible channels for filing complaints.

The State government has invited objections and suggestions on the draft Bill within 30 days, marking the beginning of consultations for a significant overhaul of Karnataka’s disability rights framework.