The Centre has introduced stricter rules regarding the use of scribes for persons with disabilities (PwD) in competitive exams. Instead of allowing candidates to bring their own scribes, which has been identified as a risk for malpractice, examination bodies like UPSC, SSC, and NTA must establish their own trained and supervised scribe pools within the next two years. Until these official pools are ready, candidates will be permitted to bring their own scribes only in exceptional circumstances.

The new guidelines also tighten eligibility criteria for scribes, ensuring they have academic qualifications two to three years below the minimum required for the exam, are not candidates themselves, and have no conflicts of interest. This policy aims to improve transparency and fairness in the examination process while encouraging the use of assistive technologies. Additionally, the guidelines mandate compensatory time for candidates with writing difficulties and require exam centers to provide accessible facilities and training for staff on disability etiquette. Officials failing to comply may face penalties, reinforcing the system’s integrity