Centre revises SOP for disability verification to curb fake certificates in jobs, admissions
New Delhi (PTI): The Centre has tightened procedures for verifying disability certificates used in government recruitment and admissions, directing relevant authorities to validate every certificate and Unique Disability ID (UDID) card through the UDID national portal.
As per the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) on October 15, institutions are also encouraged to integrate their systems with the UDID database using an API to ensure real-time updates on applicants’ disability status.
The department will share this API with interested organisations—educational institutes or those hiring for jobs—through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The move comes amid a rise in complaints of fake or exaggerated claims to get disability certificates to unfairly obtain benefits under the reserved quota for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs).
Benchmark disability is defined as having at least 40 per cent disability, which has to be verified by a certifying disability.
The revised advisory replaces the previous SOP issued in September 2024 and outlines a stricter mechanism with the aim to ensure that only genuine PwBD candidates—meeting both the legal and functional requirements—benefit from the four per cent reservation in government jobs and five per cent reservation in higher education, as mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
Under the updated norms, institutions have been asked to ensure the digitisation of manual disability certificates issued under the repealed 1995 Act on the UDID portal. In cases where an old certificate is presented, it must be validated by the issuing state authority.
The new SOP also empowers empanelled medical boards or hospitals to conduct additional medical evaluations of PwBD candidates to determine their suitability for a particular job or course, using updated diagnostic tools and technologies.
However, the DEPwD clarified that disability assessment establishes only the extent of disability, not a person’s fitness for specific employment or academic requirements.
To make the verification process accessible, the ministry has directed that sufficient hospitals be empanelled nationwide so that candidates do not have to travel long distances for assessments.
In a significant inclusion, the revised SOP also makes it mandatory for every government employer and educational institution to set up an appellate mechanism, allowing PwBD candidates to appeal against the findings of empanelled hospitals if they are dissatisfied with their assessment or suitability evaluation.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Attacks on Christians contradict PM's message of harmony, visit to church: Gehlot
Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday expressed concern over the reported attacks and disruptions in prayer gatherings of the Christian community in different parts of the country, saying such incidents were "worrying and condemnable".
In a post on X, Gehlot said that while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting a church and giving a message of peace and harmony, news of attacks on members of the Christian community from various regions reflected a serious contradiction.
ALSO READ: FIR registered against over 30 for vandalising Christmas decorations at Raipur mall
"Symbolic gestures would not be enough, and strict legal action was required against those spreading hatred," the senior Congress leader said.
He added that Indian culture has always upheld the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", where every citizen has full freedom to practise their faith.
Gehlot urged the Centre and state governments to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no citizen is forced to celebrate their festival under fear.
