Education rights that already exist

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 added autism and specific learning disabilities to its recognised list of disabilities, alongside the earlier categories. That inclusion matters practically: it extends the Act's education protections — including reasonable accommodation and non-discrimination in admission — to children who often fell through earlier gaps.

Separately, the Right to Education Act guarantees free education to children with benchmark disabilities, and allows a home-based education option where attending a physical school isn't currently possible.

In practice, a government school cannot refuse admission solely on the basis of a disability. If it happens, it's a rights violation worth escalating, not something to accept quietly.