PwD Category in India: Eligibility, Benefits, Govt Jobs, Relaxation & Accommodation (2025 Guide)
What is the PwD Category?
PwD stands for Persons with Disabilities. This category includes individuals who have been certified as having one or more types of disabilities as per the guidelines laid out by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The PwD category is recognized across India for education, employment, and various welfare schemes. We all talk about inclusion so it is important to create awareness about the benefits that PwD have, as it is their right, but still as per a report, caregivers are not aware of these benefits and are not passed on to the deserving people for enabling them despite their disability.
Who Falls Under the PwD Category?
Candidates must have at least 40% benchmark disability certified by a government medical authority.
Types of Disabilities Recognized:
According to the RPwD Act 2016, there are 21 specified disabilities, including but not limited to:
- Locomotor Disability (including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism)
- Visual Impairment (blindness and low vision)
- Hearing Impairment (deaf and hard of hearing)
- Speech and Language Disability
- Intellectual Disability
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Mental Illness
- Multiple Disabilities
- Blood disorders (like thalassemia, hemophilia)
Note: Each type of disability has specific medical assessment procedures and documentation requirements.
PwD Certificate: How to Apply?
To avail of any government benefits under the PwD category, you must obtain a Disability Certificate from a government-authorized hospital.
Steps to Apply:
- Visit the nearest District Hospital/Certified Medical Board.
- Submit:
- Aadhaar Card
- Medical history records
- Passport-sized photographs
- Undergo medical evaluation.
- Certificate is issued either in physical or digital form via the UDID portal
PwD Reservation in Government Jobs
One of the major benefits of the PwD category is reservation in government jobs.
Reservation Breakdown:
As per government norms:
- 4% reservation in Central Government jobs (Group A, B, C, and D)
- Each disability category is assigned a quota within the 4%
Breakup of the 4% Reservation (by Disability Type):
| Sl. No. | Category of Disability | Percentage |
| 1 | Blindness and Low Vision | 1% |
| 2 | Deaf and Hard of Hearing | 1% |
| 3 | Locomotor Disability including Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, and Muscular Dystrophy | 1% |
| 4 | Autism, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness, Multiple Disabilities (including deaf-blindness) | 1% |
| Total Reservation for PwBD | 4% |
Examples:
- UPSC Civil Services, learn more
- SSC CGL, CHSL, Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
- Banking Exams (IBPS, SBI, RBI)
- State Public Service Commissions
Exam Relaxations for PwD Candidates
PwD candidates are given several relaxations in competitive exams:
1. Age Relaxation:
- Up to 10 years relaxation in the upper age limit.
- For SC/ST PwD: 15 years
- For OBC PwD: 13 years
2. Scribe Facility:
- Candidates with visual impairment, cerebral palsy, or similar conditions are allowed a scribe.
- Extra 20 minutes per hour of the exam is granted (as compensatory time).
3. Application Fee Concession:
- Most central and state exams waive application fees for PwD candidates.
Government Educational Relaxations for PwD Students
1. Reservation in Colleges: 5% seats are reserved for PwD candidates in central universities like University of Delhi, BHU, JNU, IGNOU, AMU, Sikkim University, JMI,etc. IITs, IIMs, and other institutions.
2. Relaxation in Cut-Offs:
- IITs have reduced their cut offs (which are not fixed and tend to vary depending on various factors like difficulty level of the exam, number of applicants, number of seats available,etc.)for reserved categories for more inclusive learning and greater admission for PwD candidates.
- In UPSC exam also the cut off is lower for PwD candidates.
- In UGC NET the eligibility cut off is lower by 5% for PwD candidates.
3. Scholarships:
- National Scholarships for Persons with Disabilities are given at each level from Class 9 to top institutes of excellence like IITs and IIMs.Not only this, but also it covers coaching costs of government exams, and special scholarships are for students with disabilities aiming to pursue Master’s or Ph.D. programs abroad in fields like Engineering, Management, Law, etc., with family income below ₹6 lakh.
- State-level disability scholarships.
- Financial aid for assistive devices and books.
Government Accommodation and Support
The Government of India has made it mandatory to have provisions in schools and colleges for PwD students, for various forms of physical and infrastructural accommodations.
1. Accessible Campuses:
- Ramps, lifts, tactile paths, braille signage, accessible toilets in govt offices, colleges, schools,hospitals are a must have for greater accessibility of the students or users with benchmark disability.
2. Free Assistive Devices:
- As we all use some or the other gadgets to make our life easier and we can’t imagine lives without them, so think of the people who lack any of the basic abilities which usually people have, and take for granted, so these assistive devices just help them achieve their basic abilities and support them, which is their right, so under the ADIP Scheme, aids such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and artificial limbs are provided free of cost to eligible PwDs.
Travel & Transport Benefits for PwD Category
PwD certificate holders can avail major travel concessions in Indian Railways.
1. Railways:
- Up to 75% discount in train fare (sleeper & AC classes).
- One escort is allowed with similar concessions.
- Dedicated seats and wheelchair assistance are also provided at stations.
- With the Divyangjan card, one can easily get concessions for PwD people by providing relevant documents.
2. Air Travel:
- Concessional airfare from Air India and some private carriers.
- Free Priority check-in and assistance during boarding.
3. State Transport Buses:
- Free or discounted travel in many states, like Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu.
Private Sector Benefits and Legal Protection
With the RPwD Act, private sector companies are also encouraged to prevent any kind of discrimination against PwD candidates and hiring based on their skills and qualifications.
They should be provided with accommodations that boost their productivity and make them feel included, like accessible spaces in the workplace, by installing ramps,elevators,etc. flexible working hours, job responsibilities that could be modified as per their capabilities.
Legal Safeguards:
- Equal Opportunity Policy is mandatory in all organizations
- Grievance Redressal Officers in institutions
- Right to Education, Livelihood, and Equal Participation for all. Also, if any discrimination is faced by an employee, they can go to the Labour Court or the High Court.
Conclusion
The PwD category is not just a classification but it’s a gateway to empowerment, education, employment, and independence. From government relaxations to accommodation support, the Indian government offers a wide range of facilities to ensure no one is left behind due to a disability.