The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to states and Union territories regarding delays in implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. A final deadline of May 15 has been set for appointing nodal officers, crucial for coordinating disability-related policies. The court highlighted that continued inaction undermines its authority and the purpose of the law. During the hearing, it was noted that several states, including Kerala, Jharkhand, and Telangana, had not complied with previous directives. The Supreme Court also endorsed the 'own merit' principle for disability reservation policies, ensuring that candidates qualifying on their own merit are counted against unreserved vacancies. A status report revealed ongoing gaps in implementation, prompting the court to direct national law universities to monitor compliance through a new initiative titled 'Project Ability Empowerment'. The next hearing is scheduled for September 22, where updated compliance reports are expected.