Mapping the Landscape of Disability Research in India

A Scientometric Analysis Highlighting Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

Research on developmental impairments is more widespread in wealthy countries, but the global rise in developmental disorders reveals an extensive impaired community in India. This study takes a scientometric approach to Indian disability research, focussing on publication patterns and trends in the SCOPUS database. A search retrieved 12,320 research papers from 1945 to 2023, which were analysed using co-citation, coupling, co-authorship, and co-occurrence approaches to explore links between research. India contributed 12,320 publications (2.42 %) to the global total of 509,520, while the United States and the United Kingdom led with 32.83 % and 11.40 %, respectively. India’s annual growth rate in disability-related publications was 9.95 %, while international cooperation remained restricted. The most productive and significant Indian institutions were AIIMS, NIMHANS, PGIMER Chandigarh, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education. These findings highlight India’s significant contribution to disability research while emphasising the need for greater global alliances and increased efforts to address its specific difficulties.