The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced a significant reversal in its policy, resuming the “Own Scribe” facility for eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates for all upcoming examinations. This decision provides much-needed relief and familiarity to thousands of aspirants.
This article details the specific conditions, eligibility, and the important deadline associated with the restored facility.
Table of Contents
1. Key Update: Resumption of “Own Scribe” Facility
The Staff Selection Commission, following a clarification from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) on September 10, 2025, has decided to restore the option for PwBD candidates to bring their own scribe.
- Temporary Resumption: This facility is restored for all SSC examinations officially notified on or before December 31, 2025.
- Status of Previous Notice: The Commission’s earlier notice (dated September 3, 2025), which had mandated that scribes be provided only by the Commission, has been held in abeyance (put on hold) for the exams falling under the new deadline.
This allows examinations notified before the end of 2025 to proceed under the older, pre-August 1, 2025, DEPwD guidelines.
Official Notice – SSC Own Scribe Facility Resumed for PwBD Candidates
2. New Mandatory Compliance Conditions for Own Scribes
To ensure transparency and integrity while allowing candidates the comfort of their own scribe, the SSC has introduced strict, mandatory conditions that must be met by the candidate’s chosen helper:
A. Scribe Age Restriction
The age of the scribe must now be strictly correlated with the educational qualification of the respective examination level:
| SSC Exam Level | Scribe’s Maximum Age Limit |
| Matric Level (10th Pass) | Up to 20 years |
| 10+2 Level (CHSL, etc.) | Up to 20 years |
| Graduate Level (CGL, etc.) | Up to 22 years |
B. Mandatory Aadhaar Authentication
Every scribe brought by the candidate under the “Own Scribe” facility must undergo mandatory Aadhaar-based authentication at the examination center on the day of the exam.
- Consequence of Failure: If the scribe fails the Aadhaar authentication process, they will be rendered ineligible. The candidate will then be required to either opt for a scribe provided by the Commission (if available) or forgo the facility entirely.
3. General Eligibility and Procedure
All other terms and conditions regarding the engagement of a scribe, compensatory time, and disability documentation remain in effect as per the general rules issued by the Commission (in line with DEPwD guidelines of 2018 and 2022).
| Key Rule | Detail |
| Compensatory Time | Eligible PwBD candidates are entitled to 20 minutes per hour of the examination. This applies whether or not a scribe is used (if the candidate has a functional writing limitation). |
| Scribe Qualification | The academic qualification of the scribe must not be more than one step below the minimum qualification required for the examination. (e.g., for a Graduate level exam, the scribe should not be a post-graduate). |
| Mandatory Document | Candidates must carry the original Disability Certificate/UDID Card to the examination center to avail the scribe facility or compensatory time. |
| Registration | Candidates must provide the scribe’s details through a dedicated online link as specified in the official exam notification. |
4. Why the Change?
The policy change reflects an alignment with directives from the DEPwD.
- Earlier DEPwD Guidelines (August 1, 2025): These guidelines emphasized the use of technology and mandated that the examining body (SSC) should provide scribes to ensure uniformity and prevent misuse.
- DEPwD Clarification (September 10, 2025): This subsequent clarification permitted all public examinations that had been notified before December 31, 2025, to continue operating under the prior system, thus allowing the “Own Scribe” option to be resumed for the specified duration.
This temporary restoration acknowledges the logistical challenges of quickly building a comprehensive scribe pool and offers flexibility to candidates who rely on the comfort and efficiency of a personal helper.