Indian Companies Ramp Up Hiring Of People With Disabilities (PwDs) Amid Growing Focus On Diversity

Indian companies are increasingly prioritizing the hiring of people with disabilities (PwDs), driven by both social responsibility and strategic business advantages.

Over the past three years, job postings for PwDs have surged by 30-40%, signaling a growing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the corporate sector.

As more businesses focus on workplace accessibility, industries ranging from steel and mining to insurance are actively onboarding PwDs, aiming to create inclusive environments.

This trend highlights the expanding recognition of PwDs as valuable contributors to the workforce.

Corporate Leaders Advocate For Inclusion

Several corporate leaders have voiced their support for hiring PwDs, highlighting the strategic benefits of a diverse workforce.

Anup Rau, MD and CEO of Future Generali India Insurance Company, shared that the insurer has achieved a key milestone by ensuring that at least 1% of its workforce comprises PwDs.

Rau emphasized that inclusion is not just a policy but a responsibility to create meaningful change.

Over the past year, the number of PwD employees at Future Generali India has increased from 16 to 41, with nearly 22% of these hires being women.

Rau pointed out the stark disparity in the representation of PwDs in the Nifty 50 companies, urging for stronger corporate leadership in championing inclusion.

Vedanta And Tata Steel Focus On Accessibility And Up-Skilling

Vedanta’s Chief Human Resource Officer, Madhu Srivastava, discussed the company’s commitment to enhancing workplace accessibility.

The group has implemented various measures, such as ramps, braille-enabled elevators, and text-to-speech software, to ensure a seamless experience for PwD employees.

Currently, Vedanta employs over 50 PwD individuals in front-end roles and continues to expand efforts, including onboarding PwD interns for hands-on experience in its global operations.

Srivastava highlighted that while integrating PwDs into technical roles in mining and smelting presents challenges, Vedanta remains committed to identifying meaningful opportunities for upskilling and exposure.

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She also stressed that hiring PwDs is not just a social imperative but a strategic business advantage, fostering innovation and diverse perspectives.

Tata Steel, which employs over 100 PwD individuals across various functions, has seen a steady increase in the number of PwD employees over the past 2-3 years.

A company spokesperson explained that creating a more inclusive environment has strengthened business operations by fostering creativity and innovation.

Government Incentives And Changing Workforce Dynamics

Human resources investment platform First Meridian Global Services and Innovsource CEO Manmeet Singh noted that with government incentives like tax benefits for PwD employment, the share of PwD employees in the formal workforce is expected to double by 2030.

Singh pointed out that sectors like IT, retail, and BFSI, which support remote and hybrid work models, are particularly well-suited for increasing PwD participation.

Despite the fact that India has over 7 crore PwDs, their employability rate remains low at just 0.4%.

However, job postings for inclusive roles have increased by 30-40% over the past three years, driven by stronger regulatory mandates and growing DEI commitments from corporate houses.

Cultural Shifts And Business Imperatives

Sachin Alug, CEO of NLB Services, emphasized that integrating PwDs into the workforce is gaining momentum in India.

He explained that today, corporate culture plays a crucial role in shaping a company’s brand identity, and businesses are striving to create diverse, inclusive environments.

Alug noted that a focus on diversity not only supports social responsibility but also offers long-term strategic business advantages.

Challenges In Senior Leadership Representation

While the inclusion of PwDs has increased, a report from Randstad India’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Study revealed that PwDs are primarily employed at junior and middle levels, with relatively lower representation in senior and management roles.

The study pointed out that despite the positive growth in diversity hiring, PwD inclusion in senior roles remains a challenge.

Viswanath PS, MD and CEO of Randstad India, acknowledged the progress in PwD inclusion but emphasized the need for continued efforts.

He remains optimistic about the future, pointing to the rise of new-collar jobs and the growing adoption of DEI policies as key factors that will enable companies to tap into the vast potential of PwD talent.

Looking Ahead: A Promising Future For PwD Inclusion

The rise in diversity hiring over the past two years by 30-35% reflects India’s growing commitment to DEI, according to Randstad India’s report.

As companies across various sectors continue to prioritize inclusion and accessibility, PwDs are becoming an increasingly important part of India’s workforce, driving innovation, creativity, and social change.

With strong corporate leadership, government support, and cultural shifts towards inclusivity, the future of PwD employment in India looks promising, setting a powerful example for other countries to follow.