Centre Postpones Revised Exam Guidelines for Disabled Students, Implementation Now Set for December 31
Government cites unpreparedness of examining bodies, ensures candidates’ interests safeguarded
New Delhi, Sep 11: The government has announced a deferment in the implementation of its newly issued guidelines for competitive examinations for persons with disabilities (PwDs) until December 31, 2025. The move comes as examining bodies reportedly need more time to prepare for technology-driven exam systems, while ensuring the immediate interests of candidates.
In an official memorandum, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) stated that all competitive exams notified until the end of this year may continue under the existing framework. “In view of the likely lack of preparedness of examining bodies for introduction and application of technology, and keeping in mind the interests of the Divyangjan community, all competitive public examinations notified or to be notified until December 31, 2025, may be conducted as per the existing system,” the memo said.
Candidates opting to use assistive technologies during this period will still be accommodated by examining bodies to the reasonable extent possible. Meanwhile, the DEPwD will conduct broader consultations with stakeholders, including examining agencies and the disability community, to refine the guidelines for future implementation.
The revised rules, notified last month under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, had proposed stricter regulations on scribes. The framework called for vetted scribe pools within two years and the gradual phasing out of privately arranged “own scribe” systems, which had raised concerns over fairness and malpractice.
Officials highlighted that the deferment allows agencies sufficient time to transition to technology-enabled exam procedures while protecting the interests of candidates appearing in the current examination cycle. All ministries, departments, and agencies have been instructed to comply with the revised timeline.
