India’s assistive technology sector could emerge as a ₹95,000 crore addressable market by 2030, creating significant opportunities for social inclusion, healthcare innovation, entrepreneurship and employment generation, according to experts and stakeholders associated with the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP).

The projection underscores the growing importance of assistive technologies in improving the quality of life and independence of millions of persons with disabilities, senior citizens and individuals with chronic health conditions. Experts emphasized that building a robust assistive technology ecosystem could position India as a major hub for affordable and accessible healthcare innovations while supporting the country’s broader goals of inclusive growth.

Assistive technology encompasses a wide range of products and solutions designed to improve functional capabilities, mobility, communication and independent living. These include wheelchairs, prosthetics, orthotics, hearing aids, visual aids, communication devices, mobility support systems, digital accessibility tools and emerging AI-powered assistive technologies.

According to WHO and UNICEF, more than 2.5 billion people globally require one or more assistive products, and this number is expected to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050 due to population ageing and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. In India, estimates suggest that over 26 million people live with disabilities, while millions of elderly citizens and individuals with temporary or permanent functional impairments could also benefit from assistive technologies.

Experts highlighted that despite growing demand, access to assistive products remains limited due to affordability challenges, lack of awareness, fragmented supply chains and inadequate infrastructure. Strengthening domestic manufacturing, expanding research and development, improving affordability and increasing access through public health programmes were identified as key priorities for unlocking the sector’s potential.

The emergence of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, wearable devices and digital health platforms is expected to transform the assistive technology landscape over the coming decade. Industry stakeholders believe that innovations in smart prosthetics, AI-enabled hearing and visual devices, rehabilitation technologies and remote assistive care solutions could significantly improve accessibility and patient outcomes.

Beyond healthcare benefits, experts noted that investment in assistive technologies could drive economic growth by fostering entrepreneurship, creating skilled employment opportunities and expanding India’s medical devices and health technology ecosystem. A stronger assistive technology sector could also contribute to greater workforce participation and social inclusion for persons with disabilities.

NCPEDP and healthcare experts stressed that achieving the sector’s projected growth potential will require coordinated efforts involving government agencies, industry, healthcare providers, academic institutions and disability rights organizations. Policy support, innovation incentives and increased investment in accessible technologies are expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of assistive healthcare in India.

As India advances toward becoming a global healthcare and technology hub, the assistive technology sector is increasingly being recognized not only as a social imperative but also as a significant economic and innovation opportunity with the potential to transform millions of lives.