Standardization of "Certificate regarding Physical Limitation to Write" for PwBD in Competitive Exams – SSEPD Dept Odisha Letter No.2681 Dated 06.03.2026
Standardization of "Certificate regarding Physical Limitation to Write" for PwBD in Competitive Exams
Department: Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department, Government of Odisha
Letter No: 2681 | Date: 06.03.2026
Published: 06 March 2026 Applicable to: All examining authorities (Central & State Govt establishments), recruitment bodies, and PwBD candidates in Odisha
SSEPD Department has directed all examining authorities to accept the **standardized certificate** for physical limitation to write (for scribe / compensatory time) issued to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), without insisting on exam-specific formats.
This removes hardship caused by repeated medical verifications and different formats.
Key Directions from SSEPD Letter No.2681/06.03.2026
- Examining authorities (Central/State Govt) shall accept the **standard certificate** within its validity period (as mentioned in the certificate itself).
- No insistence on separate/exam-specific formats (e.g., Annexure-A/B/C, Type-1/2/3).
- This provision must be clearly mentioned in all recruitment/examination notifications.
- Reference: DEPwD Guidelines (MoSJE) and written exam guidelines dated 01.08.2025 (currently in abeyance till 31.03.2026).
- Validity of certificate: As certified by the medical board (up to 6 months / 1 year as per latest DEPwD guidelines once abeyance lifted).
- Compensatory time: Not less than 20 minutes per hour (with or without scribe), subject to medical board certificate.
Important for PwBD Candidates & Examining Bodies:
- Candidates should not be compelled to get fresh/re-verified certificates repeatedly.
- Use of standardized format (as per DEPwD 01.08.2025 guidelines) will be mandatory once abeyance is revoked.
- Include this clause in all upcoming exam/recruitment advertisements to avoid confusion.
- This aligns with DEPwD clarification to reduce financial strain, travel hardship, and preparation loss for PwBD candidates.
📄 Official Letter (PDF): View / Download
WhatsApp Telegram Facebook PDFFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main direction in SSEPD Letter No.2681 dated 06.03.2026?
All examining authorities must accept the standardized certificate for physical limitation to write (for scribe/compensatory time) issued to PwBD candidates, without demanding exam-specific formats.
2. What is the validity period of the certificate?
Validity is as mentioned in the certificate by the medical board (up to 6 months / 1 year as per DEPwD guidelines). The 01.08.2025 DEPwD guidelines (currently in abeyance till 31.03.2026) prescribe maximum 1 year.
3. Are different formats (Annexure-A/B/C, Type-1/2/3) still required?
No – standardized format (as per DEPwD 01.08.2025 guidelines) should be accepted once abeyance is lifted. No repeated medical verification needed within validity.
4. What compensatory time is allowed for PwBD candidates?
Not less than 20 minutes per hour of examination (with or without scribe), subject to medical board certificate.
5. Whom does this apply to?
All Central & State Government examining authorities, recruitment bodies, and PwBD candidates appearing in competitive examinations in Odisha.