Centre defers implementation of revised exam guidelines for disabled students till December 31
New Delhi (PTI): The government has deferred the implementation of its recently issued revised guidelines for conducting competitive examinations for persons with disabilities (PwDs) until the year end, citing lack of preparedness among examining bodies and the immediate interest of candidates.
In an office memorandum, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) clarified that all competitive public examinations 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 for conduct of exams and keeping in mind both larger and immediate interest of the Divyangjan community, this is to state that all the competitive public examinations notified/ to be notified until and including December 31, 2025 may be conducted as per the system in vogue before issuing the said guidelines," the memorandum said.
However, candidates willing to use assistive technologies to attempt exams independently during this period may be "accommodated and encouraged by examining bodies to the reasonable extent possible," the memorandum said.
The department said that in the meantime, it shall undertake wider and more extensive stakeholder consultations on the subject of examination guidelines, including various examining bodies, divyang community and other stakeholders.
The clarification follows the government's last month's 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.
Those rules had tightened provisions around the use of scribes, directing agencies like UPSC, SSC, and the National Testing Agency to create vetted scribe pools within two years, and phasing out the widely used "own scribe" system that authorities flagged for malpractice.
Instances of collusion between candidates and privately arranged scribes had raised concerns about fairness and transparency, prompting the ministry to stress a shift towards technology-driven solutions and supervised scribe pools.
Officials said the deferment is aimed at ensuring that examining bodies have adequate time to prepare for the technological transition while also safeguarding the interests of candidates appearing in the immediate examination cycle.
The DEPwD said it will hold wider consultations with stakeholders, including examining agencies and the disability community, before finalising the framework's implementation.
All ministries, departments, and agencies have been directed to strictly adhere to the revised timelines and ensure compliance.
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Rahul Gandhi to go on two-day Raebareli visit from May 19
Raebareli (UP) (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Raebareli Rahul Gandhi will arrive here on May 19 on a two-day visit, a Congress office-bearer said on Monday.
Congress district president of Raebareli Pankaj Tiwari said that on the first day, Gandhi will inaugurate a marriage hall at Thakurain Kheda in Bachhrawan. Subsequently, he will address a public meeting in Khiron. In Lalganj, he will participate in a 'mahila samvaad' programme.
He further said that on May 20, he will meet the public during a 'Janata Darshan' programme at the Bhuyemau Guest House. Following this, he will participate in the unveiling of a statue of Veera Pasi and attend a public meeting in Lodhwari.
He will then depart for Amethi.
In Amethi, Gandhi will hold meetings with party functionaries, workers and senior leaders at the party's district headquarters, Congress district unit chief Pradeep Singhal said on Sunday.
According to political observers, this meeting would form a part of the strategic preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, alongside an organisational review.
Discussions during the meeting are likely to focus on strengthening the party organisation down to the booth level, increasing participation of youth and women workers, and accelerating public outreach campaigns across villages.
According to sources, a large number of party workers -- from Gram Sabha to the district level -- have been invited to attend the meeting.
Gandhi is expected to interact directly with workers.
During the one-day visit, the Congress leader will also travel to Poore Ramdeen Pandit -- the native village of late Congress district president Yogendra Mishra -- to meet his family members.
Mishra, considered a close associate of the Gandhi family, passed away on March 1 following a prolonged illness.
Political activities in the district have intensified ahead of Gandhi's visit, and party workers have already started making arrangements for his reception.
Kishori Lal Sharma, the Congress MP from Amethi, is also holding regular meetings with local leaders and functionaries to review the preparations.
