Fwd: Representation to correct errors in assessment of mental illness section in DEPWD's 2024 disability certification guidelines
Vaishnavi Jayakumar
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2025 at 12:21
Subject: Representation to correct errors in assessment of mental illness section in DEPWD's 2024 disability certification guidelines
To: DEPwD Secy <secretar...@nic.in>
Cc: Rajesh Aggarwal MSJE <rajesha...@gmail.com>
26-03-2025
Rajesh Aggarwal,
Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities,
5th Floor, Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003
Email : secretar...@nic.in
Dear Mr. Aggarwal,
Sub : Corrections required in the March 2024 disability assessment guidelines - mental illness section
The primary tool for evaluating disability due to mental illness is the IDEAS scale as published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), Part I, Section 1, dated February 27, 2002.
While the earlier guidelines from 2018 correctly referenced the Govt notified IDEAS scale in Appendix IV, the 2024 gazette however in Appendix XIII, instead of the IDEAS scale, references and copies (down to bullet points and typos!) an IDEAS scale explainer from a 2006 NGO newsletter which is based on the earlier 2001 IPS version of the IDEAS scale (which was modified before publishing the Govt version in 2002.)
Furthermore the changes introduced by committee members in the 2024 document for assessment of disability due to mental illness - (limitations of inpatients, type of mental illness, rural population etc) are based on the 2001 IPS version of the IDEAS scale (which is not the same as what the government notified in 2002) and is therefore invalid until the government scale is updated with due process.
You are requested to please correct this error at the earliest.
Thanking you,
Sincerely,
VAISHNAVI JAYAKUMAR
Mental Health Watch (India)