For UPSC PwD aspirants, the examination process has been with an avoidable hurdle. Candidates often have to book their preferred examination centre early, watch those centres fill up, and still end up being allotted distant cities where travel is inconvenient or, in some cases, effectively prohibitive.
In the light of aspirant feedback about inaccessible and distant exam centre allocations for disabled candidates across competitive exams, the Union Public Service Commission has introduced a significant reform. Starting with current and future exam cycles, UPSC now offers a “Centre of Choice” facility specifically for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The Times of India Article
What the “Centre of Choice” Facility Means
Under the new policy:
PwBD candidates can select their preferred exam centre even if that centre has reached capacity for non-PwBD candidates.
UPSC will create additional seating or capacity as needed so that no PwBD candidate is denied their chosen centre.
The policy removes the need for PwBD aspirants to rush bookings in the hope of securing a local centre.
This approach ensures that accessibility is not contingent on speed of application or a first-come-first-served system.
Why This Change Matters
Travel to distant exam centres is not a trivial concern for many aspirants with disabilities. Long travel adds physical strain, financial cost, and logistical complexity. In recent competitive exams conducted by other recruiting bodies, many candidates have raised concerns about being assigned faraway centres — on average more than 160 kilometres from home for non-preferred allocations — illustrating the broader systemic issue of centre accessibility. Live Hindustan
Historically, administrative directions have addressed grievances that disabled candidates were allocated distant and non-accessible centres, noting such practices impede fairness. GConnect.in
By eliminating capacity limits for PwBD candidates at chosen centres, UPSC PwD aims to prevent similar hardships for future aspirants.
Who Qualifies as a Person With Benchmark Disability?
“Benchmark disability” is defined under India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. It refers to individuals with not less than 40 percent of a specified disability, as certified by a competent authority. This status determines eligibility for accommodations, reservations, and now the new centre allocation facility.
Know more about PwD here:
PwD disability job registration
What This Means in Practice for UPSC PwD
Under the updated system:
PwBD candidates will have guaranteed access to their chosen centre regardless of normal capacity constraints.
UPSC will make additional arrangements, such as extra seating, to ensure this guarantee can be upheld without disadvantaging any aspirant.
The reform applies to all examinations conducted by UPSC and represents a more inclusive and equitable approach to competitive testing logistics.
Education for CwSN is also an important topic, which isn’t givem much attention read more about CwSN here:
Guide for professionals for CwSN
Conclusion
The introduction of the “Centre of Choice” facility is a meaningful improvement in how UPSC addresses accessibility for candidates with disabilities. It shifts the examination process toward greater fairness by ensuring that candidates are not disadvantaged before their exams even begin. This facility is intended to reduce travel burden and logistical barriers, directly responding to long-standing concerns about exam centre allocations for disabled candidates.
By building structural accessibility into the centre allocation process, UPSC aligns more closely with the legal and ethical commitments to inclusion embedded in India’s disability rights framework. Many candidates might not be aware of this great news, which is going to directly benefit them in their upcoming examination. So share this and spread the awareness.
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