NCW Proposes Survivor-Centric Policy for Acid Attack Victims in India

In April 2026, the National Commission for Women (NCW) unveiled a holistic policy roadmap to strengthen support for acid attack survivors across India. The framework addresses critical gaps in emergency medical intervention, legal justice, financial security, and long-term socio-economic inclusion. The proposal urges a coordinated, time-bound approach across the Ministries of Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, and Social Justice and Empowerment.

Read More: Psychological Impact Of Acid Attack On Its Victims/Survivors

The Framework’s Scope

The NCW’s recommendations are designed to shift the approach from reactive measures to a standardised, proactive system. The commission has emphasised institutional accountability, calling for the integration of FIR tracking, medical records, and compensation systems into a National Acid Attack Case Tracking Registry. This registry would be supported by real-time dashboards at the district, state, and national levels to ensure transparency and accountability in the delivery of justice and care.

Standardisation and Accessibility

The primary objective of this policy is to ensure that no survivor is denied treatment or justice due to procedural or geographical hurdles. Key goals include:

• The “Golden Hour Protocol”: A mandatory, standardised emergency care protocol to be implemented across all public and private hospitals, ensuring intervention within 60 minutes of injury.
• Medical Inclusion: Providing free, lifelong medical treatment, including reconstructive surgeries, assistive devices, and dedicated “acid-attack cells” in hospitals for case coordination.
• Legal Reform: Implementing mandatory “Zero FIR” registration, allowing survivors to file cases anywhere in the country, and appointing dedicated legal officers to assist with fast-track trials.

Building Inclusion and Empowerment

The NCW policy places a heavy focus on restoring the dignity and independence of survivors through socio-economic support:

• Disability Status: Explicit recognition of survivors under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, with a separate category in the Unique Disability Identity (UDID) system to streamline access to benefits.
• Financial Security: Establishing a uniform national compensation framework with time-bound disbursals, Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) linked to FIR registration, and monthly pension schemes.
• Economic Inclusion: Proposing livelihood models such as work-from-home options, digital literacy programs, and wage subsidies through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to incentivise companies to employ survivors.
• Psychosocial Support: Integrating trauma-informed counselling for survivors and their caregivers into existing welfare schemes to ensure long-term mental health recovery.