Blind civil service aspirants to get more time in exam

The Delhi High Court Tuesday granted 20 minutes additional time per hour to blind candidates to answer questions in both preliminary and main examinations for civil services conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S Endlaw said: "The visually impaired candidates shall be allowed additional time/compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour in both preliminary and main examinations apart from being extended the help of a scribe."

The court's interim orders came on two separate pleas, filed by NGO Sambhavana. The first PIL had sought direction to UPSC to provide more time to blind candidates during examination, while the second petition had contended that the number of vacancies reserved for the category was far less than one percent provided under section 33 of the Disabilities Act, 1995.

Out of 1,291 vacancies, including 26 vacancies reserved for physically handicapped category, only two vacancies were reserved for the blind candidates, it pointed out.

The court is yet to decide on the second petition.