Politics · India Bureau
Delhi High Court Sets January Deadline for Service Dog Guidelines
The Delhi High Court has directed the central government to finalize a standard operating procedure for service dogs assisting persons with disabilities by January 7, 2027. The move aims to establish a formal framework enabling disabled individuals to use trained animals for mobility and independence.
LSN India ·
A bench comprising Justices Dinesh Mehta and Aditi Choudhary issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by the Dhananjay Sanjogta Foundation, which had raised concerns about the absence of clear guidelines governing the use of service and therapy animals by persons with disabilities in India.
The court expressed confidence that the Centre would complete the standard operating procedure (SOP) by the next scheduled hearing, enabling individuals and other beneficiaries to utilize service dogs to enhance their mobility and everyday movement. The bench posted the matter for further proceedings on January 7, 2027.
During proceedings held on October 6, representatives from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities presented a draft SOP to the court for consideration. The development marks a significant step toward creating institutional recognition and regulation for service animals in India's disability support ecosystem.
Service dogs are trained to assist individuals with various disabilities by performing tasks such as mobility support, alerting to medical conditions, and providing emotional assistance. The absence of standardized guidelines has previously hindered their broader adoption and legal recognition across public spaces and institutions in the country.