SSC Issues New Disability Certificate Formats and Restores Self-Scribe Facility with Updated Guidelines
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released an important update regarding the disability certificate formats used for candidates applying under the PwD (Persons with Disabilities) category. This revision has been made in accordance with the latest guidelines issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). All PwD candidates are strongly advised to go through the details carefully to prevent any inconvenience during the recruitment or document-verification process. The complete notice has been provided below for reference.
Revised Forms for Disability Certification
The SSC has officially updated the format of disability certificates to align with the DEPwD notification. As per the new structure, Form 5 will now be used exclusively for candidates with a single disability, while Form 6 will be applicable for individuals with more than one disability. Until now, the Commission used Forms 5, 6, and 7 for different examinations. However, the revised system replaces all three old forms and introduces a simplified, more standardized certificate process across recruitments.
According to the SSC’s latest notice, for all examinations whose notifications were issued after October 16, 2024, and for which the selection process is still ongoing, candidates will have the flexibility to submit disability certificates in either of the following:
- The newly revised formats—Form V and Form VI, as per the DEPwD notification dated October 16, 2024
- The earlier certificate formats used before this revision
This provision ensures that candidates do not face any last-minute issues or delays due to changes in documentation. It also allows sufficient time for candidates to transition smoothly to the new formats.
Self-Scribe Facility Restored with New Conditions
The SSC has also reinstated the Self-Scribe facility for PwD candidates after receiving clarifications from the DEPwD. This facility will now apply to all examinations for which the SSC issued notifications on or before December 31. While the self-scribe option has been restored, the Commission has introduced a set of new conditions to ensure transparency and fairness.
One of the major updates relates to the age criteria of the scribe. The age limit will be based on the level of the examination:
- For Matric (10th) and Higher Secondary (12th) level exams, the scribe’s age should generally not exceed 20 years
- For Graduate-level examinations, the scribe should typically be 22 years or younger
The SSC states that these limits are intended to balance the academic ability of the scribe with the difficulty level of the examination, preventing an unfair advantage while still supporting candidates who need assistance.
Aadhaar Verification Made Mandatory
In a significant step toward strengthening the verification process, the SSC has made Aadhaar-based authentication compulsory for all scribes registered under the Self-Scribe facility. Every scribe must complete Aadhaar verification at the examination center before they can assist the candidate.
If, for any reason, the scribe fails to complete Aadhaar authentication, candidates will be provided with two alternatives:
- They may choose a scribe arranged by the SSC, or
- They can appear for the examination without a scribe
This rule aims to prevent misuse of the self-scribe option and ensure that only authorized individuals assist candidates during the exam.