Less than 1% of Indian workforce are disabled persons, says new report
A fresh report—the Marching Sheep PwD Inclusion Index 2025—just revealed that less than 1% of employees in 876 Indian companies are persons with disabilities (PwDs).
While there's been a small bump (4.1%) in companies hiring at least one disabled person, a surprising 37.9% still have no permanent disabled staff.
Many PwDs who do get hired end up in entry-level or blue-collar roles, highlighting how much inclusivity is still missing.
Public sector leads, but mindset shift needed
Public Sector Units (PSUs) employ the majority—72%—of disabled workers, far outpacing private companies.
The report also found that despite good intentions, actual representation fell in 39% of organizations compared to last year.
Sonica Aron, founder of Marching Sheep, urges businesses to see disability inclusion as building real talent and capability—not just charity—and calls for stronger efforts to close these gaps.