New Delhi: The government has postponed the implementation of its recently issued revised guidelines for conducting competitive examinations for persons with disabilities (PwDs) until the end of the year, citing insufficient preparedness among examining bodies and the immediate interests of candidates.
In an office memorandum, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) clarified that all competitive public examinations notified up to December 31, 2025, may continue under the existing framework.
The memorandum stated:
“Considering the likely lack of readiness of examining bodies to introduce and apply new technologies for conducting exams, and keeping in mind both the broader and immediate interests of the Divyangjan community, all competitive public examinations notified or to be notified until December 31, 2025, may be conducted under the system currently in place.”
However, candidates wishing to use assistive technologies to attempt exams independently during this period may be accommodated and encouraged by examining bodies to the extent reasonably possible.
The department added that it will conduct extensive stakeholder consultations on the examination guidelines, engaging examining agencies, the divyang community, and other relevant stakeholders.
This clarification comes after last month’s government notification of comprehensive new guidelines under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The updated rules tighten provisions around the use of scribes, requiring agencies such as UPSC, SSC, and the National Testing Agency to establish vetted scribe pools within two years, gradually phasing out the previously common “own scribe” system. Authorities cited concerns about malpractice in privately arranged scribes, emphasizing a shift toward technology-driven solutions and supervised scribe pools.
Officials said the deferment ensures examining bodies have sufficient time to prepare for the technological transition while protecting the interests of candidates appearing in the current examination cycle.
The DEPwD confirmed it will conduct wider consultations with stakeholders, including examining agencies and the disability community, before finalizing the implementation of the revised framework. All ministries, departments, and agencies have been instructed to strictly follow the revised timelines and ensure compliance.
