Exemptions/concessions to Persons with Benchmarks Disabilities for Class X and XII Examinations conducted by CBSE

CBSE FAQ:Exemptions/concessions to Persons with Benchmarks Disabilities

CBSE is extending several exemptions/concessions to candidates with disabilities as defined in The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act- 2016 and Guidelines for conducting written examination for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities 2018 issued by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as per Office Memorandum dated 29th August, 2018. 

Q.1 Who are the Issuing Authorities of Medical Certificate to Disabled candidates in the context of Classes X and XII of CBSE?

Ans. The medical certificate issued by the following agencies/organizations will be considered for granting concessions to Disabled candidates: 
(i) Disability Certificate(s) issued by Government hospitals controlled by either the Central or State Governments from the Chief Medical officer/Civil Surgeon/ Medical Superintendent. 
(ii) Disability Certificate(s) issued by Recognized institutes of national level viz National Association for the Blind, Spastic Society of India etc; and 
(iii) Disability Certificate(s) issued by Non-governmental Organizations/practitioners registered with Rehabilitation Council of India/Central Government/State Government of the Respective State. 
(iv) The disability certificate issued by the competent authority at any place shall be accepted.
(v) The proforma of the certificate regarding physical limitation for an examinee to write may be seen on CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in .

Q.2 What are the provision regarding Facility of Scribe and Compensatory Time to candidates with Disabilities?

Ans. (i) Candidates with disabilities as defined in The Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act 2016 are permitted to use a Scribe or allowed Compensatory time as given below or both:
For paper of 3 hours duration            60 minutes
For paper of 21/2 hours duration        50 minutes
For paper of 2 hours duration            40 minutes
For paper of 11/2 hours duration        30 minutes
(ii) For Categories of disabilities for which scribe/reader/writer/adult prompter is permissible please refer to the CBSE’s website.

Q.3 What are the provisions related to Appointment of Scribe for candidates with Disabilities?

Ans. (i) The candidate shall have the discretion of opting for his own scribe/reader or request the examination centre for the same.
(ii) In case Scribe/ Reader is provided by Examination Centre, the qualification of Scribe should not be more than the minimum Qualification criteria of the examination.
(i) In case the candidate is allowed to bring his own scribe, the qualification of the scribe should be one step below the qualification of the candidate taking examination. The Person with Benchmark Disabilities opting for own Scribe/Reader should submit the detail of the own scribe/Reader 
(ii) Candidate shall also have the option of meeting the scribe two days before the examination.
(iii)Candidate will be allowed to change of the Scribe/Reader in case of emergency. The candidate shall also be allowed to take more than one scribe/reader for writing different papers specially for languages. However, there can be only one scribe per subject. 
(iv) Centre Superintendent of the examination centre concerned shall forward to the concerned Regional Officer of the Board, a report giving full particulars of the candidate and of the scribe.
(v) Suitable room shall be arranged for the candidate for whom a scribe is allowed and a separate Assistant Superintendent shall be appointed by the Centre Superintendent to supervise his/her examination. 
(vi) Services of Scribe shall be provided free of cost.
(vii) The Scribe shall be paid remuneration by the Centre Superintendent as per norms of CBSE.

Q.4 What are the other General Instructions/ Facilities that are required to be kept in view in the context of Persons with Disabilities? 

Ans. (i) To facilitate easy access, a few selected schools are made examination centers for special students.
(ii) Teachers from schools for visually impaired are appointed as Assistant Superintendent(s) (Invigilators) at the special examination centers for visually handicapped. However, precaution is taken to appoint different subject teachers on different days. 
(iii) Answer books of disabled candidates are sent separately by the Centre Superintendents
(iv) A separate column is provided on the title page of the answer book for indicating the category of disability.
(v) Use of calculator is not permitted in any of the examinations conducted by the Board
(vi) Portable video magnifier is also allowed or Visually Impaired candidate. 
(vii) For categories of disabilities for which Computer is permissible please refer to the CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in .
(viii) Computer will be allowed as per the actual need and skills of the students with disabilities duly supported by certificate issued by registered medical practitioners / qualified psychological consultants recommending use of Computer facility for writing the examination citing the ground on which recommendation for use of computer has been made. Such permission shall be subject to the followings:- 
(a) Use of computer shall be limited to only for typing answers, for viewing the questions in the enlarged font size, for listening the question items. Concerned candidate shall bring his/ her own computer or laptop duly formatted and the Centre Superintendent shall allow such candidate after an inspection by the Computer teacher and the same teacher may do the monitoring of the use of the computer. Centre Superintendent may compensate for the loss of time if any and record the same. 
(b) The computer / laptop brought by the candidate will not have any internet connection so as to maintain the sanctity of the examination. 
(c) The candidate shall use the computer / laptop for the purpose for which permission has been taken. 
(d) Such requests along with specific recommendation by the competent medical authority / qualified psychological consultants, shall be sent to the concerned CBSE Regional Office. 
(e) Responsibility for use of computer shall lie on the candidate and Board shall not be liable for any consequences arising out of any mishappening on account of use of computer. 
(ix) Provision of Reader to read the question paper in case student with disability does not want scribe facility, will be allowed but the Role of Such Person will be Limited to Reading of Question Paper. Request for such permission will be made by the candidate through principal with specific recommendation by the registered medical practitioners / authorized psychologist. Such cases will be referred to the CBSE RO by the school principal and permission will be accorded on case to case basis based on merit. Such candidates will not be allowed to use scribe facility. 
(x) For Categories of disabilities for which relaxation in attendance is permissible please refer to the Annexure – III. Relaxation in attendance upto 50% may be considered for candidates with disability who are unable to attend the school for prescribed days. Such recommendation with attendance details must come from the Principal of the school of the candidate alongwith supporting certificate from the registered medical practitioners / authorized psychologist. 

Q.5 Are the students with Disabilities required to pay Registration and Examination Fee?

Ans. Registration and Examination fee (IX,X,XI,XII) will not be charged from visually impaired candidates.

Q.6 Are the Candidates with Disabilities exempted from Third Languages for Class X examinations?

Ans. Yes. Candidates with disabilities as defined in The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 will be exempted from third language.

Q.7 What flexibilities are admissible to candidates with Disabilities in choosing subjects for Class X examination?

Ans. (a) Candidates with disabilities as defined in The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 have the option of studying one compulsory language as against two. This language should be in consonance with the overall spirit of the Three Language Formula prescribed by the Board. Besides one language any four from amongst the following groups can be offered: 

Group 1
Mathematics, Science, Social Science, another language, Music, Painting, Home Science, Elements of Business, Elements of Book Keeping and Accountancy, Computer Applications 

Group 2
Skill Subjects for Regular Candidates Only (except Automobile Technology): Retail, Information Technology, Security, Introduction to Financial Markets, Introduction to Tourism, Beauty & Wellness, Agriculture, Food Production,  Front Office Operations, Banking & Insurance, Marketing & Sales, Health Care Services, Apparel, Media, Multi Skill Foundation Course 

Note: Information Technology from Group 2 cannot be offered if subject – “Computer Applications” from Group 1 is opted. 
(b) Bonafide residents of Delhi appearing as Private candidate as per provisions of Examination Byelaws cannot take subjects having Practical Component at Secondary level. However, candidates with disabilities as defined in the Examination Bye-laws have the option of taking up Music, Painting, Home Science as the subjects of study. 
(c) Physio-therapic exercises are considered as equivalent to Health and Physical Education course of the Board. 

Q.8 What are the provisions for providing Alternate Questions/ Separate Questions to candidates with Disabilities in the context of Class X examination?  

Ans. (i) Alternative type questions are provided in lieu of questions having visual inputs for disabled candidates in the subjects of English Communicative and Social Science. 
(ii) Separate question papers with enlarged font size are provided in the subjects of Mathematics and Science.

Note: For Categories of disabilities for which alternate question paper/enlarged font size question paper is permissible please refer to the CBSE website 

Q.9 What flexibilities are available to candidates with Disabilities in choosing subjects for Class XII examinations?

Ans. Bonafide residents of Delhi appearing as Private candidate as per provisions of Examination Byelaws cannot take subjects having Practical Component. However, candidates with disabilities as defined in the Examination Bye-laws have the option of taking. Music, Painting, Home Science as the subjects of study. 

Q.10 What are the  provisions for providing separate Question Paper and Questions in lieu of practical component to candidates with Disabilities in the context of Class XII examination? 

Ans. (a) Disabled candidates are given separate question papers containing Multiple choice questions based on Practical component in lieu of practical’s in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Biology 
(b) Question papers administered in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology are without any visual input 
(c) Alternative type questions are provided in lieu of questions having visual inputs in the subjects of History, Geography and Economics 
Note: For Categories of disabilities for which separate question paper is permissible please refer to the CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in .

Q.11 What is the ‘Advisory’ to students with Disabilities desirous of availing exemptions/ concessions?

Ans. Students studying in schools affiliated to the Board and desirous of availing the exemptions/concessions should approach the concerned Regional Office of CBSE through the Head of their Institution preferably while in Class IX and/or XI. The request should be supported by relevant medical certificate and recommendation from the Head of the School/Institution. Only those students would be considered for grant of exemption/concession in whose respect  relevant category has been entered during registration in Class IX and/or XI.

Q.12 What is the ‘Advisory’ to CBSE affiliated schools in the context of Inclusive Education of Children with Disabilities (IECD)? 

Ans.
a. Ensure that no child with special needs is denied admission in Mainstream Education
b. Monitor enrolment of disabled children in schools
c. Schools to provide support through assistive devices and the availability of trained teachers
d. Modify the existing physical infrastructure and teaching methodologies to meet the needs of all children including Children with Special Needs 
e. Ensure that the school premises are made disabled friendly by 2020 and all educational institutions including hostels, libraries, laboratories and buildings have barrier free access for the disabled 
f. Ensure availability of Study material for the disabled and Talking Text Books, Reading Machines and computers with speech software 
g. Ensure adequate number of sign language interpreters, transcription services and a loop induction system for the students with Speech Language disability 
h. Revisit classroom organization required for the education of Children With Special Needs 
i. Ensure regular in-service training of teachers in inclusive education at the elementary and secondary level.

Q.13 From where the students can get address of the Regional Offices of CBSE? 

Ans. CBSE has 10 Regional Offices which deal with matters of different states. Contact number, jurisdiction and address of Regional Offices is available on the website of CBSE i.e. www.cbse.nic.in. CBSE has also a Helpline 1800-11-8002 which is functional on all working days from 9 AM – 5.30 PM. 

Q.14 What are important  points that need to be kept in view by Parents and Schools in the context of seeking exemption/concessions to candidates with Disabilities? 

Ans. STEP I: Parents should go through the consolidated instructions issued by CBSE in the context of Exemptions/Concessions extended to  Person with Benchmark Disabilities on its website 
STEP II: Parents get the child examined by the Competent Medical Authority and obtain requisite Medical Certificate of Disability.
STEP III: For availing any exemption, parents will have to make a request to school along with copy of certificate of disability. The draft application may be downloaded from CBSE’s website www.cbse.nic.in. School will acknowledge the request made by the candidate 
STEP IV: School will forward the request to concerned Regional Office of the CBSE within 7 days of its receipt along with specific recommendation. In case of rejection by the school, the same should also be sent to Board along with reasons of such rejection. 
STEP V: The Regional Office of CBSE examine the request in accordance with the rules of the Board. In case of rejection, reasons for the same will be intimated. 
STEP VI: The last date for seeking applicable exemptions will be same as that of last date for submission of list of candidates. 

Q.15 What are the Timelines for Activities in the context of extending exemptions and concessions to the Persons With Disabilities (PWD Candidate)? 

Ans. CBSE is extending several exemptions and concessions to the candidates with benchmark disability. To streamline the process extending  xemptions/concessions, following schedule has been fixed:

While requesting to the Regional Office for exemptions/ concessions, schools will also inform the following:-

•  In case of class-XII, has candidate availed the facilities in class-X?
•  In case of class-X, has candidate availed the facilities in class-IX?

Above  said  exercise  will  help  the  PWD candidates  in  getting  their approvals on time and also help the CBSE in taking care of these students while allotting Roll Numbers for Board’s Examinations.

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Courtesy: CBSE