Clarification on applicability of revised Comprehensive Guidelines for conducting competitive written public examinations dated 01.08.2025 for Persons with Disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016
F. No. P-13013/75/2023-Policy-DD-III
Government of India
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)
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Pt. Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan,
C.G.O. Complex, New Delhi -110003
Date: 10 September, 2025
Office Memorandum
Subject: Clarification on applicability of revised Comprehensive Guidelines for conducting competitive written public examinations dated 01.08.2025 for Persons with Disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016.
In continuation to the Department’s Office Memorandum of even number dated 1st August 2025, whereby revised Comprehensive Guidelines for conducting competitive written public examinations (linked to employment or admission to professional or technical courses) for Persons with Disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 were issued, the following clarifications are hereby issued:
1. In view of the likely lack of preparedness of Examining Bodies for introduction & application of technology for conduct of exams & keeping in mind both larger & immediate interest of the Divyangjan community, this is to state that all the competitive public examinations notified/ to be notified until and including 31st December, 2025 may be conducted as per the system in vogue before issuing the said Guidelines dated 01.08.2025 i.e. as per the DEPwD Guidelines dated 29 August 2018, subsequent corrigendum and the Guidelines issued on 10th August 2022.
2. However, the Divyangjan applicants who are appearing in the competitive examinations during the intervening period and are willing to adopt the use of technology/ Assistive Devices for writing the exam independently, may be accommodated and encouraged by the Examining Bodies to the reasonable extent possible.
3. Meanwhile, DEPwD shall undertake wider and more extensive stakeholder consultations on the subject of examination guidelines, including various Examining Bodies, divyang community and other stakeholders.
4. All Ministries, Departments, Examining Bodies and relevant authorities are requested to adhere strictly to the above clarification and ensure compliance with the notified timelines and provisions of the applicable Guidelines.
5. This is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(Debala Bhattacharjee)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
(email: debala.joarder[at]gov.in)
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