BharatNotes PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) reservation requires a minimum 40% disability under the RPwD Act, 2016. UPSC recognises 5 disability categories. The certificate is issued by a Government hospital/Chief Medical Officer. 4% of vacancies are reserved for PwBD, with additional age relaxation of up to 10 years (General) to 15 years (SC/ST).
PwBD Certificate for UPSC CSE
Benchmark Disability Definition
Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, a 'benchmark disability' means at least 40% of a specified disability as certified by a certifying authority.
Five PwBD Categories Recognised by UPSC
| Category | Disability Type |
|---|---|
| PwBD-1 | Blindness and Low Vision |
| PwBD-2 | Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
| PwBD-3 | Locomotor Disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, acid attack victims |
| PwBD-4 | Autism, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness |
| PwBD-5 | Multiple Disabilities (including Deaf-Blindness) |
Not all PwBD categories are eligible for all IAS/IPS/IFoS services; UPSC publishes a service-wise PwBD eligibility list with each notification.
Reservation and Relaxations
- 4% of total vacancies are reserved for PwBD candidates
- Age relaxation: General-PwBD — 10 years; OBC-PwBD — 13 years; SC/ST-PwBD — 15 years
- Extra attempts: equivalent to age relaxation years
Issuing Authority
The disability certificate must be issued by a Government hospital — specifically by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Civil Surgeon, or Medical Superintendent of a Government healthcare institution. Private hospital certificates are not accepted.
