Civil Services Examination (CSE) which is conducted by UPSC provides the ground for participation where opportunity is provided for the persons to join elite services such as Indian Administrative Service. For anyone who is planning to sit for preparation in the upcoming Civil Service Exam of 2025, then it is necessary to know the UPSC CSE eligibility.
Physically Handicapped Criteria
Age Limit and Relaxation:
- All other backward classes, and EWS or economically weaker section candidates belonging to the general category or minimum benchmark of disability have an upper age of 42 years.
- Also, physically challenged candidates are allowed a 10 years allowance on the upper age limit allowed for a candidate.
- There is no upper age limit for SC/ST candidate with benchmark disabilities, he/she can appear the exam for number of times as he/ she wishes.
Types of Disabilities Considered: For the purpose of eligibility, the UPSC recognizes numerous types of disability. These include:
- Locomotor Disability: this category includes cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack survivors and muscular dystrophy.
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: This includes autistic disorder, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness.
- Multiple Disabilities: Individuals with at least two of the above categories of disability are also covered by the act as candidates with disabilities such as deaf-blindness.
Benchmark Disabilities: Benchmark disability therefore refers to actual disabilities that have some characteristics. These are the disabling conditions recognised for different services. UPSC’s guidelines describe two facets of each benchmark disability in items and areas: physical characteristics and functional categories. To know whether one is eligible for the post, it’s advised to read the official notice carefully.
Reservation for Physically Handicapped Candidates (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities):
Quantum of Reservation:
Against identified posts, one percent each is reserved for persons with benchmark disabilities falling under the following categories:
- Blindness and low vision
- Deaf and hard of hearing
- Locomotor disability (cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarf, acid attack survivors and muscular dystrophy).
- Learning disability and mental illness
- Multiple impairment (from among the categories mentioned above, including deaf-blindness), motor impairment, and learning disability.
Also, one percent is joined for students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, a cognitive disability, a specific learning disability, and deaf-blindness.
Exemption from Reservation
This means that no establishment or cadre can be absolutely quitted of reservation for persons with a benchmark disability.Still, where a post is not suitable for such candidates, it may be ‘carved out’ from reservation.
Adjustment against Unreserved Vacancies
A person with Benchmark disability has all the rights to be and officer and they cannot be refused the opportunity to be appointment in the service.If a benchmark disability candidate is so selected without relaxed standards then they are lower in merit than the last candidate selected in the unreserved category, they will not be adjusted against the reserved vacancies.
Certificate of Disability
For candidates forhaving the benefit of reservation they must attach a certificate of disability from a competent authority. After selection this certification, further requires a validation.
Computation of Reserved Posts
The proportion of designated vacancies for individuals with benchmark disabilities is calculated based on the total vacancies arising from the direct recruitment of Group ‘C’ positions. Both identified and unidentified category posts are considered in the calculation of reserved vacancies.
How many attempts for UPSC for disabled person?
The UPSC is responsible for conducting one of the most competitive examinations of India, the Civil Services Examination. Candidates who want to write the exam but have benchmark disabilities, which usually mean that they require concession in one or the other, are allowed to attempt a number of times. Let’s break it down:
General/OBC/EWS Categories with Benchmark Disability
Unreserved PwBD candidates/ OBC/ EWS category candidates are permitted to appear for the UPSC exam up to nine times.And this means that if you fall under any of the mentioned categories, having a benchmark disability, you can attempt the UPSC exam for a maximum of 9 times.
SC/ST Categories with Benchmark Disability: Here’s the good news: In case of SC/ST PwBD candidates, there is no attempt limit for any examination. If you belong to SC or ST category and are a Person with benchmark disability then you can write the UPSC examination till you are of the upper age limit.In other words, you can take it as many times as you want.
Age Relaxation for Disabled Servicemen
Independent of the category, which they fall into – General, OBC, EWS, SC, or ST – disabled servicemen are granted an age relaxation.It is 37 years in their case.This extension helps them get another chance to take their dream of working in civil services forward.
Remember, UPSC not only admits that PwBD candidates face some peculiar difficulties but also tries to change the situation. Therefore, regardless of the dream of getting a job in IAS, IPS, or any other dream service, UPSC does ensures that the applicants with disability toogets a fair chance.
Which IAS coaching in Delhi is best for handicapped Candidate for UPSC Exam?
Vajirao & Reddy IAS coaching in Delhi is one of the reputed institutes for preparing the UPSC. They provide normal classes in their centre (face-to-face, or what we call offline classes) as well as online classes where students can join an actual classroom from their homes. IAS institute tenders quality enhancement to candidates aspiring to become IAS officer.
- Accessibility: In this regard it is always wise to contact the institute directly and verify about the facilities offered for differential abled candidates. They can provide items like ramps, classrooms which are baron, special assistance to peculiar students.
- Mentors: They provide one to one guidance to the candidate with the Benchmark Disability and help them achieve their dream of becoming an IAS officer.
- Tech. Assistance: classrooms here are well equipped with assistive technology which includes audio-visual aids, zoom features, screen reader etc. which facilitates the Benchmark Disability to make learning easier as well as comprehensive.
- Scribe and extra time facility: In the institute it does ensures that every aspects remains the fair for the Benchmark Disability. It provides the extra time to the students with Benchmark Disability in case of exams and tests and provides scribes too.
- Flexible learning option: In the institute online as well as offline classes are available. If one wants to be physically present in the class he/she can join the offline class room and if she/ he wants to be at home and prepare for the examination can join the online classes.
- Quality material; Prepared by the well experienced faculty and team of researchers is one of the best material for the UPSC CSE exam. It provides comprehensive coverage of the UPSC syllabus as well as includes sample questions as well as the previous year questions.
Can a physically disabled person become an IAS officer?
IAS stands for the Indian Administrative Service and is a prestigious and the most important civil service in the Indian context as it helps to implement its policies and manage its administrative affairs. In the past the IAS has been selectively associated with the physically challenged but this has been transformed now. In particular, during the years that have passed, there was an understanding that a physical disability should not become an obstacle to a civil servant’s career.
- Legal Framework and Inclusivity: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, act gives recognition of rights, equal opportunities and legal protection for persons with disabilities. In accordance with this act, some efforts have been made by the government for the splendid diversification of civil services. Through the preparations of the Civil Services Examination, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) does offer reasonable accommodation to those candidates with disabilities throughout the process.
- Reasonable Accommodations: When/While selective, physically disabled candidates are allowed to ask for reasonable accommodations including time extension, a writer or venues that they will easily access. The UPSC makes sure that a candidate with a disability is not put in any category lower that the candidate with the similar qualification but no disability.
- Inspiring Examples: Some of the physically disabled individuals have crossed the barriers and join the IAS:
- Satendra Singh: One of the inspirational example of Dr. Singh who, being a CSE qualified IAS officer, uses a wheelchair. His journey inspires many.
- Ira Singhal: Ira who has Scoliosis, stood first in the 2014 CSE examination without any extra utilization of any beneficial device.
Challenges and Support: Finally, physically disabled candidates have the proportional problems such as, accessibility for examples, and prejudice from the society and organization. Despite these challenges, one is able to find support networks, get assistive technology as well as be determined when needing to perform these tasks.
Conclusion
Though the journey to become an IAS officer is challenging, a physical disabled person should not be a hindrance to achieve this goal. It is about self-will, self-pliability and right encouragement and, assuredly, a physically challenged person well capable of giving back to the government of India and the nation at large.