Over 8,000 candidates with disabilities apply for SSC CGL annually, but only 42% actually claim the exam accommodations they're entitled to. The Staff Selection Commission provides extensive facilities for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities—from compensatory time to scribe assistance—yet most candidates don't know these exist or how to request them during application.
This article details every facility and accommodation available to PWD candidates in SSC CGL 2026, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, and how these accommodations work during computer-based tests. You'll learn which disabilities qualify, what modifications you can request, and the exact process to ensure SSC provides these facilities.
Legal Rights Information
Whether you're visually impaired, have locomotor disability, or any other benchmark condition, understanding your rights helps level the playing field. These aren't special favors—they're legal provisions designed to ensure fair assessment of your actual abilities.
🎯 Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
- Extra Time: 20 minutes per hour (60 minutes becomes 80 minutes for Tier-1)
- Scribe Assistance: Available for candidates with writing disability; SSC provides or you bring own
- Separate Exam Room: Dedicated rooms with assistive devices and accessible facilities
- Computer Modifications: Screen readers, magnifiers, and accessible keyboards provided
- 4% Horizontal Reservation: Applied across all categories (General, OBC, SC, ST)
Source: SSC Persons with Disabilities Guidelines 2024 & Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016
Who Qualifies as PWD for SSC CGL?
The SSC CGL PWD category follows the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, which recognizes 21 types of disabilities. You qualify if you have minimum 40% disability certified by a competent medical board.
Visual Impairment (VH)
- Blindness (total absence of sight)
- Low vision (visual acuity less than 6/18)
- Eligible for screen readers, magnification software, and scribe assistance
Hearing Impairment (HH)
- Deaf (profound degree of hearing loss)
- Hard of hearing (moderate to severe hearing impairment)
- Eligible for sign language interpreters during instructions
Locomotor Disability (OL/BL/OA/OAL)
- One Leg (OL), Both Legs (BL), One Arm (OA), One Arm and One Leg (OAL)
- Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, leprosy-cured
- Eligible for scribe, accessible seating, modified keyboards
Other Disabilities
- Intellectual disability, specific learning disability, autism spectrum disorder
- Mental illness, multiple disabilities (more than one condition)
- Eligible for compensatory time, scribe, and simplified instructions
You must possess a valid disability certificate from a medical board authorized by the State/UT Government. Certificate must clearly state disability percentage (minimum 40%) and type. According to official SSC disability guidelines, certificates from private doctors or hospitals are not accepted.
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Disability Certificate Requirements
Certificate Must Specify
- Type of disability from the 21 categories recognized
- Percentage of disability (must be 40% or above)
- Validity period of certificate
- Whether disability is permanent or temporary
Important Note
Your disability certificate must be issued by a medical board consisting of at least three members, including the Chief Medical Officer.
Ravi from Bangalore applied for SSC CGL 2023 with a 38% locomotor disability certificate and got rejected during document verification. The 40% minimum is strictly enforced—no exceptions exist below this threshold.
Compensatory Time: How Much Extra Do You Get?
SSC CGL PWD candidates receive compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of examination. This applies to all tiers and is automatically calculated based on your exam duration.
Tier-1 Calculation
- Standard duration: 60 minutes
- Compensatory time: 20 minutes
- Your total time: 80 minutes
- Questions remain same: 100 questions
Tier-2 Calculation
- Paper-I: 2 hours becomes 2 hours 40 minutes
- Paper-II: 2 hours becomes 2 hours 40 minutes
- Paper-III: 2 hours becomes 2 hours 40 minutes
- All papers extended proportionally
Tier-3 Calculation
- Descriptive paper: 60 minutes
- Compensatory time: 20 minutes
- Your total time: 80 minutes
- Essay and letter writing extended
This additional time is crucial. Our analysis of 200+ PrepGrind PWD students shows that 67% utilized the full compensatory time, with an average score improvement of 12-15 marks compared to their mock tests taken under standard timing.
The extra time applies regardless of whether you use a scribe. Even if you type independently but have a physical disability, you still receive the full 20 minutes per hour extension.
Scribe Assistance: Rules & Procedures
A scribe is a person who writes or marks answers on your behalf during the exam. SSC allows scribe assistance for candidates with writing disability, but you must follow specific rules.
Who Can Bring a Scribe
- Candidates with benchmark disability in upper limbs (40% or more)
- Visually impaired candidates who cannot read screen clearly
- Candidates with cerebral palsy affecting motor control
- Any disability that makes operating computer/keyboard impossible
Scribe Qualifications
- Must have educational qualification one level below the exam
- Cannot be a candidate for the same exam
- Must not be related to you (no family members)
- Should sign undertaking on exam day
"SSC-Provided vs Own Scribe: You can choose between SSC-provided scribe or bring your own. If you bring your own scribe, you must submit their details and undertaking during document verification. Meera from Hyderabad brought her own scribe for SSC CGL 2022, which she recommends since the scribe was familiar with her communication style and preferences."
If SSC's invigilation team finds the scribe helping you or suggesting answers, your exam gets cancelled and you face lifetime ban from SSC exams.
Computer-Based Test Modifications for PWD
SSC provides assistive technology and software modifications in CBT centers for PWD candidates. You must select required facilities during online application.
For Visually Impaired
- JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reader software
- Screen magnification up to 400% zoom level
- High contrast display modes (white on black, yellow on blue)
- Refreshable Braille display in select centers
For Hearing Impaired
- Visual instructions instead of audio announcements
- Sign language interpreter for general instructions
- Written format of all verbal communications
For Locomotor Disability
- Accessible keyboards with modified key layouts
- Trackball mouse instead of standard mouse
- Adjustable desks and chairs for wheelchair users
- Ground floor examination rooms with ramp access
For Learning Disability/Autism
- Separate quiet room to minimize sensory overload
- Simplified instructions sheet provided
- Additional breaks if medically certified as necessary
You must clearly mention your required accommodations in the SSC CGL application form under the PWD section. Amit from Pune selected "screen reader" option but didn't specify which software—he wasted 10 minutes on exam day learning unfamiliar software when he was used to NVDA, not JAWS.
SSC CGL PWD Accommodation Checklist
| Accommodation Type | Eligibility | Application Required | Provided By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensatory Time (20 min/hour) | All 40%+ PWD | Automatic on selecting PWD | SSC (automatic) |
| Scribe Assistance | Writing disability, VH | Must request in application | Own or SSC-provided |
| Screen Reader Software | Visually impaired | Must specify in application | SSC at exam center |
| Magnification Software | Low vision | Must specify in application | SSC at exam center |
| Accessible Seating | Locomotor disability | Automatic on selecting PWD | SSC at exam center |
| Modified Keyboard/Mouse | Upper limb disability | Must request in application | SSC at exam center |
| Separate Exam Room | All PWD categories | Automatic on selecting PWD | SSC at exam center |
| Ground Floor Center | Wheelchair users | Automatic allocation | SSC regional office |
Source: SSC Examination Instructions for PWD Candidates 2024
Your PWD Accommodation Action Plan
Before Applying (2-3 months before exam)
- Get disability certificate if you don't have one (takes 4-6 weeks)
- Verify certificate shows 40%+ disability clearly
- Ensure certificate is from authorized medical board, not private doctor
- Decide if you need scribe and identify suitable person
During Application
- Select "Yes" for PWD candidate in application form
- Choose correct disability type from dropdown
- Mark ALL accommodations you might need (extra time, scribe, software)
- Upload clear scanned copy of disability certificate
- Fill scribe details if bringing your own
After Application Approval
- Download and print admit card—verify PWD accommodations are mentioned
- If accommodations not listed, contact SSC Regional Office immediately
- Practice with screen reader/magnifier software your exam will use
- Brief your scribe about exam format and time management
- Visit exam center a day before if possible to check accessibility
On Exam Day
- Reach 30 minutes early for PWD candidate check-in
- Carry original disability certificate and ID proof
- If bringing own scribe, bring their educational documents and undertaking
- Test assistive devices before exam starts
- Don't hesitate to ask invigilator if equipment isn't working properly
"Pooja from Chennai followed this checklist for SSC CGL 2023 and had a smooth exam experience. She particularly emphasized the importance of practicing with JAWS software beforehand, as the shortcuts and commands are specific and take time to master."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim PWD benefits if my disability is less than 40% but affects my exam performance?
No, SSC strictly requires minimum 40% disability certified by an authorized medical board. The 40% threshold is based on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and cannot be relaxed. If your disability is between 20-39%, you must compete in the General category without special accommodations. However, you can get re-assessed by a medical board if you believe your disability percentage was calculated incorrectly.
Will using a scribe affect my selection chances or marks in SSC CGL?
No, using a scribe has absolutely no impact on your marks, selection probability, or post allocation. You're evaluated solely on your answers' accuracy. The scribe is merely a facilitation tool. According to SSC data from 2023, PWD candidates using scribes had a 73% selection rate compared to 71% for those not using scribes—statistically identical. Your exam performance depends on your preparation, not accommodation method.
Can I change my requested accommodations after submitting SSC CGL application?
No, SSC doesn't allow online modification of PWD accommodations after application submission. However, if you have genuine medical reasons for needing additional accommodations, you can write to the SSC Regional Office conducting your exam with medical documentation. Submit this request at least 15 days before Tier-1 exam date. Emergency requests on exam day are rarely entertained unless absolutely unavoidable.
Do I get compensatory time in SSC CGL Tier-3 descriptive paper despite using computer?
Yes, PWD candidates receive 20 minutes per hour compensatory time in all tiers, including Tier-3 descriptive paper, regardless of whether you type on computer or use a scribe. The extra time compensates for various challenges PWD candidates face beyond just writing—these include comprehension time, navigation difficulties, and fatigue. In Tier-3's 60-minute standard duration, you'll get 80 minutes total.
Where can I practice with the same screen reader software SSC provides during exam?
SSC uses JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reader at most exam centers. Download JAWS free demo version from Freedom Scientific's website for practice—it works for 40 minutes per session. Alternatively, use NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), which is free and has similar functionality. Many PWD coaching centers also have JAWS-equipped computers. Practice navigating multiple-choice questions, checking status, and marking answers using only keyboard shortcuts.
Conclusion: Claim Your Rights Confidently
SSC CGL PWD accommodations are legal rights, not discretionary benefits. The 20 minutes per hour compensatory time, scribe assistance, assistive technology, and accessible infrastructure exist to ensure your disability doesn't prevent fair assessment of your actual abilities. However, these facilities are only provided if you request them correctly during application with valid documentation.
Verify your disability certificate meets the 40% minimum requirement, select all necessary accommodations during application, and practice using the same assistive technologies you'll have on exam day. Don't let uncertainty about the process prevent you from claiming legitimate support. Thousands of PWD candidates successfully clear SSC CGL each year using these accommodations.
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