Choosing a college is hard enough. For families managing ADHD, the decision is even more layered: Will the campus understand? Are there systems to actually follow through on accommodations? What kind of documentation is needed? And most importantly will the student feel supported, not stigmatized?
This guide focuses on Indian colleges, with a deep dive into Bangalore, and then a look at strong options in Mumbai, Delhi–NCR, Pune, Chennai, and Hyderabad. We have compiled information for the parents and future students who are in the decision stage, already exploring institutions and now needing practical details to compare and act.
While ADHD is not explicitly listed under India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016, many colleges extend accommodations through their Disability Cell, Equal Opportunity Cell, or Office of Learning Support. Here’s what to look for:
Active Disability or Enabling Cell: Check if the campus has a working office, not just a policy on paper. Look for email IDs, staff names, and office hours.
Transparent Accommodation Process: Ask if there is a written procedure: forms to fill, timelines, and a contact person.
Documentation Requirements: Most campuses will accept a clinical evaluation (psychological or psychiatric) within the last three years. Some ask for government disability certificates, but for ADHD this is often substituted with detailed clinical reports.
Types of Accommodations: Common supports include extra exam time, permission to record lectures, flexibility in attendance, reduced course loads, and tutoring.
Counseling & Peer Mentoring: ADHD isn’t just about academics. Look for mental health counselors, peer buddy programs, and career support.
Hostel & Living Support: For out of state/country students, quiet study spaces, flexible hostel timings, or reduced distractions in shared living can make a big difference.
Costs & Waivers: Some universities (like Ashoka) provide support without extra cost, while others don’t mention fees. Always clarify in writing.
Christ University, Bengaluru
Christ University operates a Centre for Counselling and Health Services (CCHS) with a dedicated wing for disability support.
How to request help: Students email or meet the centre staff. Where personalized support is available. Accommodations are generally granted based on documentation.
Documentation needed: A recent psychological evaluation or doctor’s note confirming ADHD and recommending accommodations.
Accommodations offered:
Extra time during exams
Use of scribes or readers
Modified internal assessments
“Classroom buddy” programs, where peers assist with note-taking and reminders
Counseling availability: In-house counseling is robust and often recommended alongside academic supports.
Parent/student feedback: One Christ student shared: “I felt nervous asking, but once I did, my department and the centre actually listened. The classroom buddy made a big difference in staying on track.”
Summary: Christ is approachable, but the process requires proactive communication. Parents should help their child draft the initial email or accompany them to the counseling office in the first weeks.
Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB)
Though best known for its MBA and executive programs, IIMB is a leader in formal accommodation processes through its Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI).
How to request help: Students complete a “Reasonable Accommodation Form” after admission. This is followed by a needs assessment with staff.
Documentation needed: A clinical or external specialist’s evaluation. Unlike Christ, the paperwork here is structured and reviewed in detail.
Accommodations offered:
Extra time and separate exam seating
Curriculum flexibility (longer program tracks possible)
Note-takers or tutors provided
Accessible hostel rooms and motorised wheelchairs for those who need mobility support
Counseling availability: The ODI coordinates tutors, career counselors, and organises sensitivity workshops for peers and faculty.
Summary: IIMB offers one of the most transparent systems in India. For ADHD, this structure helps remove guesswork—but students must be ready to disclose early and work with ODI on customised supports.
National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru
NLSIU runs a Disability Support Group (DSG), which is student-led but works with faculty and administration.
How to request help: Reach out to DSG directly, usually after joining. They advocate for accessibility and adjustments.
Documentation needed: Usually on a case-by-case basis. A clinical note is always useful.
Accommodations offered: This process us usually feedback-driven. Such as adjusted deadlines, awareness in classrooms, and accessible campus events.
Counseling availability: Peer mentoring through the DSG is strong, though formal counseling is limited.
Summary: More informal than Christ or IIMB, but NLSIU’s peer advocacy is powerful. Best for students comfortable speaking up and joining a student-driven network.
Ashoka University (Haryana, near Delhi–NCR)
Ashoka’s Office of Learning Support (OLS) is among the most advanced in India.
Requires a detailed diagnostic report less than three years old.
Formal forms (AARF, ATIF) must be submitted at the start of the semester.
Accommodations include extended deadlines, flexible attendance, recorded lectures, and peer note-takers.
Importantly: Services are free of cost.
Parents often cite Ashoka as the first private Indian university to align with U.S./UK-style disability services.
University College of Medical Sciences (Delhi University)
Through its Equal Opportunity Cell, UCMS supports disabled students, including neurodiverse learners. While ADHD is not always explicitly named, accommodations such as extra exam time and counseling are considered under broader inclusion.
FLAME University (Pune)
Known for liberal arts programs, FLAME offers counseling services and allows flexibility in assignments and course loads. The support is less formalized than Ashoka’s but appreciated by students seeking individualized care.
IIT Madras (Chennai)
The Enabling Unit at IIT Madras has started integrating ADHD into its disability support framework. Reports mention exam accommodations and counseling services, though implementation varies by department.
University of Hyderabad
The university’s Equal Opportunity Cell provides exam flexibility and extra time, with counseling services available on campus. Student feedback highlights a need for more proactive ADHD recognition, but accommodations are possible once documentation is provided.
Start early: Don’t wait until mid-semester. Email or call before the academic year begins.
Be specific: Mention “ADHD” and list accommodations that typically help (extra time, flexible deadlines).
Provide documentation: A clinical evaluation within the last three years is the gold standard. If you lack this, request a letter from a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Keep records – Save every email and confirmation. In India, processes are often person-dependent. Written records protect your child.
Follow up politely – Disability Cells are often understaffed. Persistence helps.
Meet the Disability Cell or counselor in person. Ask: “What specific supports have ADHD students received here?”
Visit the library and classrooms: Are there quiet corners? Can lectures be recorded?
Speak to current students about faculty attitudes, policy is one thing, culture is another.
Ask hostel wardens about flexibility (study hours, noise levels, late returns).
Check the counseling center’s accessibility: walk-in slots or long waiting lists?
Clarify whether accommodations are free or involve costs.
Shortlist three to five colleges based on transparency, counseling quality, and cultural fit.
Email Disability Cells using the script above.
Schedule campus visits or virtual calls to confirm details.
Compare responses: Look for clear timelines, no hidden fees, and openness to ADHD as a legitimate need.
Decide with confidence—choosing not just an institution, but a place where your child’s strengths are supported and challenges understood.
In India, ADHD support is uneven but growing. Christ University, IIM Bangalore, and Ashoka are leading examples. With careful planning, proactive communication, and early documentation, students with ADHD can thrive in Indian colleges—especially in cities like Bangalore where awareness is steadily increasing.