Finance Ministry Directs Banks to Ensure Better Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, has issued a fresh directive to banks, insurance companies, pension regulators and financial institutions regarding compliance with provisions related to the accessibility and welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
The Delhi High Court had recently directed the State Bank of India (SBI) to review its promotion policy for visually impaired employees and consider alternative pathways for their career advancement.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that employees with disabilities should not face discrimination in promotions. Click here to read this news.
Complaints of Non-Compliance Received
According to the Ministry, references and complaints have been received regarding non-compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, the RPwD Rules, 2017, and accessibility standards notified by the Department of Financial Services. The concerns are mainly related to physical and digital accessibility for persons with disabilities in financial institutions and related organizations.
Institutions Covered by the Direction
The communication has been sent to major financial sector organizations, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), State Bank of India (SBI), Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), NABARD, all Public Sector Banks, Public Sector Insurance Companies and several financial institutions such as SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NHB, IIFCL, IFCIL and NABFID.
The Ministry has directed all concerned organizations to ensure strict compliance with the RPwD Act, 2016, RPwD Rules, 2017 and various DFS Accessibility Standards notifications issued for the banking, insurance, pension and financial sectors during 2024.
Institutions have also been instructed to follow the non-negotiable accessibility standards for ICT products and services notified by DFS in September 2025, along with all relevant government instructions and court directions issued from time to time.
Periodic Review of Systems and Infrastructure
The Ministry has further instructed all institutions to conduct periodic reviews of their existing systems, infrastructure and policies related to accessibility.
The purpose of these reviews is to ensure reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities and identify any gaps in accessibility measures. Organizations have been asked to take corrective and remedial actions on a priority basis wherever shortcomings are found.
