Mumbai gets InclusivEd: India's 1st university-certified course for neurodivergent adults

HSNC University, Mumbai, in collaboration with the Skill Shakti Community, has introduced InclusivEd, India’s first university-certified Certificate and Diploma programme in applied life and career skills for neurodivergent adults. It aims to provide formal academic recognition to adult learners with autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, intellectual disorders and other learning differences.

The programme is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, which recognises internships for academic credits and encourages modular, skill-based learning that is flexible in both pace and format. Within this framework, learners can choose between two qualification levels: a Diploma, requiring 80 credits, which confirms the ability to work independently, solve routine problems and apply judgement. Another is a Foundation Certificate, worth 20 credits, which focuses on essential life skills and basic digital literacy, equipping participants for a range of career opportunities.

Both options are available under the InclusivEd pilot, which is open to neurodivergent individuals, aged 16 and above, who are functionally literate, able to use a phone and laptop at a basic level, and ready to learn in a peer community. A personal interview will determine eligibility.