Previous Year Question
Which State has decided to establish a University for the disabled during 2009-10?
Maharashtra
Kerala
Madhya Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The Government of Uttar Pradesh established Dr. Shakuntala Misra Rehabilitation University with the objective of providing higher education, rehabilitation and a barrier-free educational environment to students with disabilities.
An Ordinance for the establishment of the University was promulgated on 29 August 2008. It was subsequently given statutory basis through U.P. Act No. 1 of 2009, dated 19 February 2009. Therefore, the 2009-10 reference given in the question relates to Uttar Pradesh.
An important feature of the University was the provision to reserve not less than 50% of seats in all courses for students with disabilities. Of these reserved seats, 50% were earmarked for visually impaired students.
The University campus is located on Mohaan Road, Lucknow. Its purpose was not merely to provide conventional degree education but to develop accessible higher education, vocational/technical education and rehabilitation together for students with disabilities.
It is presently known as Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU), Lucknow.