UPSC Prelims Exam Disability Support Services, Check Details Here

UPSC Prelims Exam Disability Support: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is committed to ensuring that its examination process is inclusive and accessible to all candidates, including Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).

Enroll Now for UPSC Online Course

Supreme Court Grants Relief to Disabled UPSC Aspirants

The Supreme Court of India has granted relief to disabled candidates appearing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025 by extending the deadline to update scribe details to May 18, 2025, at 4:00 PM. This ruling, delivered by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, followed a petition by Mission Accessibility. Petitioners argued that the earlier deadline of February 18 was unrealistic, as scribes are typically volunteers and difficult to confirm months in advance. The Court accepted this reasoning.

Following this, UPSC released an official notice:

Disability Quota in the UPSC Exam 

 The reservation system ensures fair representation of PwBD candidates in government services. For those curious about the special facilities provided to PwBD candidates for appearing in the UPSC exam, these include fee exemptions, relaxed eligibility criteria, extended time limits, and scribe facilities. Here are the provisions followed by UPSC with regard to PwBD category candidates:

UPSC Disability Criteria

1. Blindness and low vision;
2. Deaf and hard of hearing;
3. Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy;
4. Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness;
5. Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (1) to (4), including deaf-blindness

Enroll Now for UPSC Online Course

UPSC Prelims Exam Disability Support Eligibility

UPSC Prelims Exam Disability Support

• Candidates can either opt for their own scribe or request the Commission.
• Candidates will have to submit scribe details during the online application form submission process.
• The qualification of the scribe should be above matriculation and not more than a graduate.

Enroll Now for UPSC Online Course

Qualification for the UPSC Prelims Scribe Writer

• Maximum Qualification: The scribe's educational background must not exceed the minimum qualification required for the examination. For instance, if the examination requires a graduate degree, the scribe should not have a qualification higher than that (e.g., a postgraduate degree).
• Minimum Qualification: Regardless of the specific examination, the scribe must have at least completed matriculation, which is typically the completion of 10th grade. This ensures that the scribe has a basic level of education and literacy.
• Approval from the Commission: Candidates can either choose their own scribe or request the UPSC to provide one. If they opt for their own scribe, they must submit the details during the application process and obtain approval from the UPSC before the exam.

The UPSC’s disability support services aim to empower PwBD candidates by providing an equitable and accessible examination environment. By leveraging these provisions, PwBD candidates can also achieve their dream of joining the civil services. 

Get ready for the UPSC exam, explore PW UPSC Courses!