New Delhi, December 15, 2025 – In a significant move towards addressing gaps in support for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities, the Supreme Court of India on Monday issued notices to the Union government, seeking its response to a public interest litigation (PIL) demanding the formation of a national expert committee to develop comprehensive care guidelines.
The bench, comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan, heard initial submissions on the plea filed by the NGO Hrdya Saras Foundation along with other petitioners. The court directed the Centre, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and other relevant authorities to file their replies, highlighting the urgency of institutional reforms in autism care across the country.
At the heart of the petition is a call for the constitution of a national expert committee that would include representatives from autistic individuals, parents' associations, disability rights experts, and medical professionals. This body would be tasked with formulating and finalizing nationwide guidelines aimed at ensuring holistic care, rehabilitation, and protection for persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other intellectual disabilities. The petitioners argue that current frameworks under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, fall short in providing specialized, enforceable standards, leading to widespread neglect, inadequate facilities, and vulnerability to exploitation.
Beyond guidelines, the plea urges the court to direct the government to establish population-based residential facilities in every district of India. These homes would cater to the specific needs of affected individuals, with mandatory provisions for proper medical infrastructure, regular health check-ups, and round-the-clock access to qualified doctors, therapists, and trained caregivers. To prevent mismanagement, the petition demands binding standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the setup, regulation, and monitoring of these facilities, including minimum standards for nutrition, hygienic living conditions, adequate staffing ratios, emergency preparedness protocols, and transparent financial reporting to curb exploitative fee structures.
The advocates further seek the launch of pilot residential communities in each state and Union Territory within a stipulated timeline, coupled with robust oversight mechanisms such as periodic audits, independent monitoring committees, and accountability measures to safeguard against abuse, neglect, or institutional failures.
While the court has not yet fixed a date for the next hearing, the issuance of notices underscores growing judicial scrutiny on disability rights. Activists and experts have long highlighted the paucity of specialized services in India, where an estimated 1-2% of the population—over 18 million people—may be on the autism spectrum, according to global health data adapted to Indian demographics. Existing state-run and private facilities often lack trained personnel and tailored interventions, exacerbating challenges for families already burdened by stigma and limited awareness.
The Hrdya Saras Foundation, known for its advocacy in neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasized in the plea that without centralized, evidence-based policies, persons with autism remain marginalized, denied equal opportunities in education, employment, and social integration. "This is not just about facilities; it's about dignity and inclusion," the petition states, invoking Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life with dignity.
The Centre's response will be pivotal, potentially paving the way for a landmark framework that could transform autism care nationwide. As the case progresses, it joins a series of judicial interventions pushing for better implementation of the RPwD Act, including recent directives on accessible education and employment quotas for the differently-abled.
(With inputs from PTI)
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