SSC restores ‘Own Scribe’ facility for PwBD candidates; applies to exams notified before December 31

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced the resumption of the ‘Own Scribe’ facility for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates, with effect for examinations notified on or before December 31, 2025. The decision follows a clarification issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) on September 10, 2025.

Earlier, the SSC had withdrawn the ‘Own Scribe’ option through its notice dated September 3, 2025, in line with the DEPwD guidelines of August 1, 2025, which required scribes to be provided only by the Commission. The latest clarification from DEPwD allows public examinations notified before December 31, 2025, to continue under the previous system, reinstating the earlier provision.

Accordingly, the SSC has kept the provisions of paragraph 3 of its September 3 notice in abeyance. The Commission stated that the restored facility will operate with new mandatory conditions to ensure procedural integrity.

“In compliance with the aforesaid DEPwD clarification dated 10.09.2025, the Commission has decided to resume the facility of 'OWN SCRIBE' for eligible PwBD candidates. This decision holds in abeyance the provisions of Para 3 of the SSC Notice dated 03.09.2025 for all examinations notified on or before 31.12.2025,” the official notice said.

Own scribe facility subject to new compliance conditions

Under the revised norms, the scribe’s age must align with the qualification level required for the examination. For matric level exams, the scribe should generally not be above 20 years of age; the same age applies for Class 12 level exams, while for graduate level exams, the scribe’s age should not exceed 22 years.

Additionally, Aadhaar-based authentication has been made compulsory for all scribes proposed under the ‘Own Scribe’ facility. If a scribe fails to authenticate through Aadhaar at the time of the examination, the candidate must either use a scribe provided by the Commission or appear without one.

The commission further states that all other conditions relating to the engagement of scribes will remain as per the SSC’s Scribe Procedure Notice dated October 25, 2024, which follows the DEPwD guidelines issued on August 29, 2018, and August 10, 2022.