In an exercise that will help the government plan out proper policy for inclusion of physically challenged children in education, the NCERT has embarked upon a nationwide survey to find out degree of disability of such students and also the quality of elementary education.

The NCERT has started the 8th All India School Education Survey under which it will find out the age-specific data of students in a particular class, the degree of disability of physically challenged students, enrollment, drop-out rates and the quality of elementary education in the country.

"For the first of time, we have included provision for collecting data on degree of disability of physically challenged students. This will show what kind of disability the students are having. It will help to plan out policy on how to provide education to them in a comprehensive manner," NCERT Director Prof Krishna Kumar said.

The NCERT conducts the all-India survey on the quality of elementary education every five years. The survey intends to create a database on status of school education system with respect to access, class-wise enrolment, achievement and availability of basis facility in schools.

The age-wise data of students in a particular class will show whether any over-aged or under-aged students are studying in the class.