Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre exists to support a language used by millions of Indians. Indian Sign Language (ISL) is a complete language with its own grammar and vocabulary, not a mimed version of Hindi or English. The Census of 2011 recorded about 50 lakh people with hearing disabilities in India, and many deaf people use ISL as their main language. Known as ISLRTC, the centre was set up on 28 September 2015 as an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. From its office in New Delhi’s Okhla Industrial Estate, it develops the ISL dictionary, trains interpreters and teachers, produces learning materials such as school textbooks in ISL, and promotes ISL across government and society.
| Quick Facts | Details |
| Full name | Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) |
| Address | Module No. 403–406, 4th Floor, NSIC Business Park, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi 110020, India |
| Parent body | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Status | Autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Reg. No. S/1440/2016) |
| Established | 28 September 2015 |
| Earlier origins | Announced in the Union Budget 2010–11; foundation stone laid at IGNOU on 4 October 2011 |
| Director (as listed) | Shri Kumar Raju |
| Core work | ISL research, dictionary development, interpreter and teacher training, e-content, awareness |
| Key resources | ISL dictionary (everyday, legal, academic, and financial terms), online basic ISL course, NCERT textbooks in ISL, government announcements in ISL |
| Phone | 011-2632 7558 / 011-2632 7550 |
| islrtcnewdelhi@gmail.com | |
| Nearest metro stations | Govindpuri (Violet Line) and NSIC Okhla (Magenta Line) |
| Nearest airport | Indira Gandhi International Airport, roughly 20 km |
| Time zone | IST, UTC+5:30 (no daylight saving) |
| Official website | islrtc.nic.in |
Why India Needed a Sign Language Centre
For decades, deaf children in India were often taught through lip-reading and speech alone, and sign language was sometimes discouraged. Many deaf adults grew up without full access to education, information, or public services. The deaf community campaigned through the 2000s for an institution dedicated to ISL.
Some common myths ISLRTC works to correct:
- “Sign language is universal.” It isn’t. Different countries have different sign languages. ISL differs from American Sign Language and British Sign Language.
- “Sign language is just gestures.” ISL has its own grammar, sentence structure, and regional variations.
- “Deaf people can simply lip-read.” Lip-reading captures only part of speech and is tiring and unreliable.
- “Learning sign language stops children from speaking.” Research generally shows that early access to a full language, including sign language, supports children’s overall language and learning.
From Budget Announcement to Autonomous Society
| Year | Milestone |
| 2007–2012 | India’s 11th Five Year Plan recognised the neglect of people with hearing disabilities and envisaged a sign language research and training centre |
| 2010–11 | Setting up of ISLRTC announced in the Union Budget speech |
| 2011 | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment approved ISLRTC as an autonomous centre of IGNOU; foundation stone laid on 4 October 2011 |
| 28 September 2015 | ISLRTC established as an autonomous society under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
| March 2018 | First Indian Sign Language dictionary launched |
Location: NSIC Business Park, Okhla
ISLRTC works from Modules 403–406 on the 4th floor of NSIC Business Park in the Okhla Industrial Estate, south-east Delhi. Older listings show an earlier address at A-91, Okhla Phase II.
- By metro: NSIC Okhla station on the Magenta Line and Govindpuri station on the Violet Line are the nearest.
- From New Delhi Railway Station: Roughly 15 km by road, or by metro via connecting lines.
- From Hazrat Nizamuddin: A short drive.
- From IGI Airport: Roughly 20 km, usually 45 minutes to an hour, or by metro via the Magenta Line.
Areas of Work
Research and Dictionary Development
- Documenting ISL vocabulary and grammar, including regional variations
- Building the ISL dictionary, with everyday, legal, academic, and financial terms
- Collaborating with universities and institutions in India and abroad
- Studying sign languages elsewhere to inform ISL development
Training Interpreters and Teachers
ISL interpreters and teachers are in short supply across India. ISLRTC trains professionals to:
- Interpret between ISL and spoken languages in courts, hospitals, offices, and media
- Teach ISL to deaf children, families, and hearing learners
- Support bilingual education, where deaf students learn through ISL alongside written languages
E-Content and Accessible Education
- NCERT textbooks translated into ISL, so deaf students can study the school curriculum in their own language
- Government information and announcements in ISL
- Video resources on ISLRTC’s YouTube channel
Awareness and Sensitisation
- Training for government officials, police, teachers, and professionals on communicating with deaf people
- Programmes for families of deaf children
- Public events, including national conferences and observance of sign language days
Free Learning Resources
| Resource | What It Offers |
| ISL dictionary | Signs for everyday words, plus legal, academic, and financial terms |
| Online basic ISL course | A 30–40 hour self-learning course for beginners |
| Early communication orientation | About 200 basic signs for communicating with young children (3–4 years) |
| NCERT textbooks in ISL | School textbooks translated into ISL video |
| Government announcements in ISL | Important public information made accessible |
These are available on ISLRTC’s official website and YouTube channel.
Courses and Careers
ISLRTC runs professional training programmes, such as diplomas in ISL interpretation and teaching ISL, along with shorter courses. Check the centre’s website for current courses, eligibility, and admission dates.
Careers in ISL include:
- ISL interpreter in courts, hospitals, government offices, and television news
- ISL teacher in schools for deaf children and in inclusive classrooms
- Deaf educator and trainer
- Content creator for accessible videos and digital media
- Researcher in sign linguistics
Deaf ISL users are central to this field as teachers, trainers, and researchers, because they are native users of the language.
Communicating with Deaf People: Simple Tips
- Get their attention politely with a gentle tap on the shoulder or a wave within their line of sight.
- Face the person directly and keep your face visible and well lit.
- Don’t shout. It doesn’t help and can distort lip patterns.
- Use writing or your phone for important details, like addresses and times.
- Ask how they prefer to communicate. Some use ISL, some lip-read, and some use writing.
- Speak to the deaf person, not the interpreter, when an interpreter is present.
- Learn a few basic signs, such as greetings, “thank you,” and “sorry.” ISLRTC’s free resources are a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the address of ISLRTC?
A. ISLRTC is located at Module No. 403–406, 4th Floor, NSIC Business Park, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi 110020.
Q2. When was ISLRTC established?
A. The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) was established on 28 September 2015.
Q3. Which ministry does ISLRTC come under?
A. ISLRTC comes under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
Q4. What does ISLRTC do?
A. ISLRTC conducts research on Indian Sign Language, develops the ISL dictionary, trains interpreters and teachers, creates accessible content, and promotes awareness and wider use of Indian Sign Language.
Q5. Is there an Indian Sign Language dictionary?
A. Yes. ISLRTC has developed an Indian Sign Language dictionary covering everyday, legal, academic, financial, and other commonly used terms.
Q6. Can I learn Indian Sign Language online for free?
A. Yes. ISLRTC offers a free online basic Indian Sign Language course of about 30–40 hours, along with other educational videos and learning resources.
Q7. Are NCERT textbooks available in sign language?
A. Yes. ISLRTC has translated NCERT textbook content into Indian Sign Language to make educational material more accessible to deaf students.
Q8. Which metro station is closest to ISLRTC?
A. NSIC Okhla Metro Station on the Magenta Line and Govindpuri Metro Station on the Violet Line are convenient metro options for reaching ISLRTC.
Q9. What is ISLRTC’s phone number?
A. You can contact ISLRTC at 011-2632 7558 or 011-2632 7550.
Q10. Who is the Director of ISLRTC?
A. Shri Kumar Raju is listed as the Director of ISLRTC.
