By Pallavi Priya

In India, the Constitution guarantees equal rights and opportunities for disabled individuals, recognizing those with 40% or more disability, certified by medical experts. This includes blindness, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and locomotor disabilities. To integrate disabled people into mainstream life, the Constitution mandates reservations in government jobs and institutions.

Under the Act of 1955, a 3% reservation is provided for disabled persons to ensure they can lead normal lives. This was updated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which aligns with India’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified in 2007. The new act replaces the previous 1995 legislation and increases the reservation to 4% for the PwD (Persons with Disabilities) category in various sectors, including the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination.

However, even after securing ranks in the UPSC exams, differently-abled candidates often face challenges in getting the services they desire due to specific physical standards for different posts. Despite these hurdles, many have successfully fought for their rights and set inspiring examples. Notable among them are Ira Singhal, Rigzin Samphel, and M Satish, who overcame legal and societal barriers to claim their rightful positions in the civil services.

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