Bharati Braille 2.1: The 2026 Progress Report on Tactile Literacy for UPSC
Q. With reference to 'Bharati Braille', consider the following statements:
1. It was first adopted as a single national standard for Indian languages in 1951.
2. It uses a standard six-dot Braille cell to represent vowels and consonants across multiple scripts.
3. The National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) is the developer of the script standards.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Context
Observed annually on 4th January, World Braille Day highlights the importance of Braille as a gateway to education, dignity, and equal participation for persons with visual disabilities. India is currently strengthening its tactile literacy framework through the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, NEP 2020, and the latest Bharati Braille 2.1 standards.
What is Braille?
Braille is a tactile writing and reading system based on a six-dot cell, arranged in two columns of three dots each. Different combinations of raised dots represent letters, numerals, and punctuation.
- Inventor: Louis Braille (19th-century France).
- Mechanism: It is a code, not a language, allowing multiple languages to be read and written in tactile form.
Evolution of Braille in India
- Historical Start: Braille was introduced in India in 1887.
- Bharati Braille (1951): A single national standard was adopted to provide common codes for most Indian languages (Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, etc.).
- Bharati Braille 2.1 (2026): On World Braille Day 2026, the NIEPVD released a new draft for technological integration (validating Liblouis tables) for public feedback.
- Unicode Mapping: Recent standards include Unicode mapping, making Braille digitally compatible with screen readers and software.
Key Policy and Program Ecosystem
1. Legal Foundation: RPwD Act, 2016
The Act mandates inclusive education and requires government-funded institutions to:
- Provide accessible infrastructure and reasonable accommodation.
- Ensure education in appropriate modes like Braille for blind/deafblind students.
- Offer free learning materials and assistive devices up to 18 years of age.
2. Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)
Launched in 2015, this initiative focuses on:
- Built Environment: Retrofitting public spaces/buildings with Braille signage (covering 2,000+ railway stations).
- Transport: Improving accessibility at airports, metros, and bus terminals.
- ICT: National website accessibility guidelines for digital inclusion.
3. Sugamya Pustakalaya
A comprehensive digital library for persons with print disabilities.
- Collaboration: A joint effort by NIEPVD, Tata Consultancy Services, and the Daisy Forum of India.
- Function: Allows users to search for accessible-format books and convert materials if not available.
4. DALM Project
The Project on Financial Support for Development of Accessible Learning Materials (formerly the Braille Press Project):
- Since its inception in 2014, it has distributed learning materials to over 1.69 lakh (1,69,782) students.
Institutional Framework
- NIEPVD, Dehradun: National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities, the nodal body for Braille development.
- Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI): A statutory body (est. 1993) that regulates and standardizes training for professionals working with PwDs.
- Delhi Public Library: Operates a national-level public Braille library service.
Significance for India
According to the 2011 Census, India has 50,32,463 persons with visual impairment. Strengthening the Braille ecosystem aligns with India’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), ensuring that "no one is left behind."
🎯 Analysis & Insights
Prelims mastery
Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Reasoning: Bharati Braille was standardized in 1951 and uses the 6-dot cell. The NIEPVD (under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment) handles its development and recently released version 2.1 for feedback.
Mains perspective
"Tactile literacy is not just a niche accommodation but a vital bridge to equality and dignity." Discuss the role of digital accessibility and legal frameworks in empowering persons with visual disabilities in India. (150 words)