Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) – Complete Guidelines
The following section contains the complete and detailed instructions regarding eligibility of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) for posts advertised in the Bank of India Specialist Officer Notification (Project 2024-25/05). All clauses, sub-rules, notes, scribe instructions, and certification requirements have been included exactly as provided.
Note: All PwBD guidelines follow the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016) and subsequent government directives. Candidates must fully comply with documentation and functional ability assessment rules to be eligible under PwBD categories.
Eligibility for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities
As per Section 2(r) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, "person with benchmark disability" means a person with not less than 40% of a specified disability which has not been defined in measurable terms, but otherwise certified by the certifying authority.
Candidates falling under the following categories of disabilities, framed under Section 34 of the Act, are eligible to apply against PwBD reserved vacancies for posts where the identified functional requirements match the permissible limitations.
Categories of Benchmark Disabilities Eligible
- (a) Blindness and Low Vision (VI)
- (b) Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HI)
- (c) Locomotor Disability (LC) including Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Muscular Dystrophy
- Orthopedically challenged persons
- Those with restrictions in movement of limbs
- Persons affected by cerebral palsy with limited motor function
- Dwarfism candidates
- Acid attack survivors with functional limitations
- (d) Autism, Intellectual Disability (ID), Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Intellectual disability causing reduced adaptive functioning
- Specific learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia
- Mental illness as defined under RPwD Act
- (e) Multiple Disabilities (More than one of the above categories)
The Bank reserves the right to consider the functional capability of the candidate for performing duties of the specific post before issuing an appointment.
Detailed Descriptions of Benchmark Disabilities
1. Blindness and Low Vision (VI)
- Blindness: Total absence of sight; or visual acuity of less than 3/60; or limitation of the field of vision to 10 degrees or less.
- Low vision: A person who has impairment of visual functioning even after treatment or standard refractive correction, but is capable of using vision for planning or execution of tasks.
2. Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HI)
- Deaf: 70 dB or above hearing loss in better ear in conversational frequencies.
- Hard of Hearing: 60–70 dB hearing loss in better ear in speech frequencies.
3. Locomotor Disability (LC) / Orthopedically Challenged (OC)
Includes impairment of bones, joints, or muscles leading to substantial restriction of movement.
- Loss or limitation of limb movement
- Inability to perform tasks requiring coordination or strength
- Cerebral palsy related mobility restrictions
4. Intellectual Disability (ID)
Characterized by significant limitation in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem-solving) and adaptive behaviours covering conceptual, social, and practical skills.
5. Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyscalculia
- Dyspraxia
6. Mental Illness
A substantial disorder of thinking, mood, perception, orientation, or memory that grossly impairs judgement, behavior, or capacity to recognize reality or meet the ordinary demands of life.
7. Multiple Disabilities
Combination of two or more disabilities listed above. Certification must clearly indicate individual components of disability.
Reservation and Functional Requirements
PwBD vacancies indicated in the notification must match the job’s functional requirements. Some posts may not be suitable for certain disabilities based on technical nature of duties. The Bank will assess functional effectiveness during the interview stage.
Important: If a candidate is not found capable of performing the essential duties of the post even with permitted assistive devices, the candidature may be rejected at final assessment.
Certification Requirements
Candidates claiming reservations under PwBD must produce a valid Disability Certificate issued by a Medical Board constituted by the Central or State Government authorities as per the format prescribed in the RPwD Rules, 2017.
Certificates must contain:
- Type of disability
- Percentage of disability (must be 40% or more)
- Permanent or temporary status
- Validity period (if temporary)
- Functional limitations
Use of Scribe – Complete Rules
Candidates who are unable to write due to their disability may use a scribe during the online examination. All rules below must be strictly followed.
- Candidate must arrange their own scribe at their own cost.
- Scribe must not be a candidate for the same examination cycle.
- If violation is found, both candidate and scribe will be disqualified.
- Scribe declaration form must be submitted at the exam venue.
- Both candidate and scribe must carry valid photo ID proofs.
Compensatory Time Rules
- Candidates eligible for scribe get 20 minutes per hour of exam extra time.
- Visually impaired candidates without scribe also get compensatory time.
- Candidates with locomotor disability (40% or more; affecting writing ability) get compensatory time.
General Notes for PwBD Candidates
- Appointment will be subject to medical fitness certificate issued by the Bank’s Medical Officer.
- If disability is temporary and certificate expires, the candidate must renew it before joining.
- PwBD candidates must meet all educational and experience requirements.
- Suitable assistive devices may be permitted during job duties as per the Bank’s HR policies.