SUGAMYA BHARAT APP (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: More than 1,400 complaints related to accessibility have been lodged through the government's flagship Sugamya Bharat mobile application since its launch in 2021, with approximately 75% of those resolved, according to official data.

Sugamya Bharat App

• About: It is an initiative of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Purpose: Designed to aid people with disabilities and the elderly, the app allows users to report accessibility problems in public infrastructure, transportation, and buildings.
• Objective: The app aims to identify issues and complaints related to accessibility at public places, capturing the location through Google Maps.
• Uploading Geotagged Pictures: Users can upload geotagged pictures to identify and understand which public places have accessibility issues for disabled people.
• User Accessibility: Any person facing difficulty or issues related to accessibility in India can raise their concerns or grievances through the app.
• Registered Issues: The app accepts only accessibility-related issues concerning Buildings, Transportation Systems, and ICT (websites and TV viewing).
• Future Enhancements: The government plans to enhance the app with AI capabilities, including an AI-powered chatbot and a multilingual interface.
• Development Partnership: A partnership has been established with the NGO Mission Accessibility and the research institute I-STEM to develop the AI-enabled app.