New Delhi: In a landmark move aimed at making India’s premier recruitment examinations more inclusive and barrier-free, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that all Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) will now be guaranteed their centre of choice while applying for UPSC examinations. The decision marks a major shift in the Commission’s approach toward accessibility and is expected to benefit thousands of aspirants across the country.
Why the Reform Was Needed: UPSC Identified Persistent Challenges
Over the last five years, UPSC observed a recurring challenge – certain high-demand examination centres such as Delhi, Cuttack, Patna, Lucknow, and a few others consistently reached their seating capacity long before the application window closed.
This created a significant disadvantage for PwBD candidates who, despite applying early, often found their nearest or preferred centres unavailable and were forced to choose locations far from home. The added travel burden, accessibility limitations, and logistical issues impacted both their preparation and comfort.
Recognising the recurring pattern, UPSC decided to overhaul the centre allocation mechanism specifically for PwBD candidates.
UPSC Chairman: “Convenience for PwBD Candidates Is Our Priority”
UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar emphasised that the Commission had taken this step after thorough scrutiny of exam centre data and candidate trends.
“After analysing examination centre data of the last five years, we noticed that high-demand centres reach their capacity very early. This creates challenges for PwBD candidates, who are then compelled to choose inconvenient centres. With this decision, every PwBD candidate will now be assured of their preferred centre, ensuring maximum convenience and ease,”
– Dr. Ajay Kumar, Chairman, UPSC.
How the New ‘Centre of Choice’ System Will Work
To ensure fairness and smooth logistics, UPSC has introduced a dual-layered policy –
Shared Capacity During Initial Registration
- At the beginning of the application window, both PwBD and non-PwBD candidates will compete for standard centre capacity.
Restricted Options for Non-PwBD Candidates
- Once a centre reaches its standard capacity, it will no longer appear as an option for non-PwBD applicants.
- However, PwBD candidates will continue to see and select that centre, regardless of whether it is “full.”
Additional Capacity Will Be Created for PwBD Candidates
UPSC will expand infrastructure when needed, by –
- Adding extra rooms or halls,
- Arranging supplemental venues,
- Increasing logistics and seating arrangements.
This ensures that no PwBD candidate is denied their preferred exam city.
A Strong Step Toward Inclusive and Accessible Examinations
The decision is widely regarded as one of UPSC’s most progressive reforms in recent years. It aligns with the broader vision of creating an examination ecosystem that is –
- Candidate-friendly
- Barrier-free
- Inclusive toward persons with disabilities
- Sensitive to the diverse needs of aspirants
With thousands of PwBD candidates appearing annually for the Civil Services Examination and other UPSC tests, the reform is expected to provide significant relief and reduce travel-related challenges.
A Precedent for Other Recruitment Bodies
As discussions on exam reforms grow nationwide, UPSC’s decision may set a benchmark for other state and central recruiting agencies. Aspirants have long advocated for disability-friendly exam procedures, and UPSC’s move reflects a broader shift towards more empathetic policy-making.
