The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has rolled out a crucial notice for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) and Persons with Disability (PwD) candidates appearing for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, scheduled for May 25, 2025. If you’ve opted for a scribe and need to make a change, now’s the time to act! The deadline to request a scribe change is May 18, 2025, 4:00 PM, and UPSC is making the process straightforward to ensure a smooth exam experience. Here’s your go-to guide to navigate this update and ace your prep!
Key Points:
- Exam Date: May 25, 2025
- Scribe Change Deadline: May 18, 2025, 4:00 PM
- Official Website: upsc.gov.in
- Purpose: Support accessibility for PwBD/PwD candidates
📝 How to Change Your Scribe for UPSC Prelims 2025
If you’re a PwBD/PwD candidate who has chosen a scribe—either self-selected or provided by UPSC—and want to switch, follow these steps to submit your request. Time is ticking, so don’t miss the deadline!
Key Points:
- Step 1: Email your request to uscsp-upsc@nic.in by May 18, 2025, 4:00 PM.
- Step 2: Include details of the new scribe:
- Name
- Photograph
- Father’s name
- Educational qualifications
- Permanent and communication addresses
- Mobile number
- Email address
- Relationship with the candidate (if applicable)
- Declaration by the scribe
- Step 3: Use the pro forma template available on upsc.gov.in for accuracy.
- Important: Requests sent to other email IDs or after the deadline will not be considered.
- Pro Tip: Double-check all details to avoid delays in processing.
🕒 UPSC Prelims 2025: Exam Schedule and Format
The UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2025 is just around the corner, and PwBD/PwD candidates need to be ready for the two-shift exam. Here’s what to expect on exam day.
Key Points:
- Date: May 25, 2025
- Shift 1 (Paper 1 – General Studies): 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, 200 marks
- Shift 2 (Paper 2 – CSAT): 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, 200 marks
- Format: Both papers are objective-type with negative marking (one-third mark deducted per wrong answer).
- Purpose: Paper 1 determines Mains eligibility; Paper 2 is qualifying (requires 33% or 66 marks).
- Accessibility: PwBD/PwD candidates using scribes will receive support as per UPSC guidelines.
📋 Why This Notice Matters
UPSC’s commitment to accessibility shines through this notice, ensuring PwBD/PwD candidates have the flexibility to choose a scribe who best suits their needs. This move aligns with recent Supreme Court directives allowing scribe changes until May 18, 2025, reflecting a push for inclusivity in India’s toughest exam. With 38 vacancies reserved for PwBD candidates out of 979 total posts, UPSC is paving the way for diverse representation in services like IAS, IPS, and IFS. Social media, including posts on X, highlights the excitement, with users calling it a “game-changer for accessibility.”
Key Points:
- Inclusivity: Supports PwBD/PwD candidates’ right to a suitable scribe.
- Vacancies: 38 reserved for PwBD (12 for blindness/low vision, 7 for deaf/hard of hearing, 10 for locomotor disability, 9 for multiple disabilities).
- Supreme Court Backing: Reinforces legal protections for disabled candidates.
- Public Sentiment: X posts praise UPSC’s inclusive approach.
✅ Exam Day Checklist for PwBD/PwD Candidates
To ensure a hassle-free experience on May 25, 2025, PwBD/PwD candidates should prepare thoroughly. Here’s what to bring and do.
Key Points:
- Must-Haves:
- Printed UPSC e-admit card (expected release in mid-May 2025).
- Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License).
- Scribe’s e-admit card (if applicable).
- Two passport-size photographs (if photo on admit card is unclear).
- Scribe Rules: Ensure your scribe meets UPSC criteria and carries their admit card.
- Prohibited Items: No mobile phones, smartwatches, or calculators allowed.
- Arrival Time: Reach the exam center 30–40 minutes early; gates close at 9:00 AM (Shift 1) and 2:00 PM (Shift 2).
- Tip: Verify your exam center location a day before to avoid last-minute stress.
🧠 Prep Tips for PwBD/PwD Candidates
With the exam just 11 days away, here’s how PwBD/PwD candidates can maximize their preparation while managing scribe arrangements.
Key Points:
- Confirm Scribe Details: Finalize your scribe change by May 18 and ensure they’re familiar with exam rules.
- Practice with Your Scribe: Conduct mock tests to build coordination and speed.
- Revise Smart: Focus on high-weightage topics like polity, environment, and current affairs for Paper 1.
- CSAT Prep: Brush up on reasoning and comprehension for Paper 2 to secure the 33% qualifying mark.
- Stay Calm: Balance study with rest to maintain focus.
🚀 What’s Next After Prelims?
Clearing the UPSC Prelims 2025 opens the door to the Mains, tentatively set for August 22, 2025, followed by the Personality Test. For PwBD/PwD candidates, UPSC ensures continued support, including scribe facilities for Mains. With 979 vacancies, including reserved spots, this is your chance to join India’s elite civil services and make a lasting impact!
Key Points:
- Mains Date: August 22, 2025 (subject to change).
- Vacancies: 979 total, 38 for PwBD.
- Next Steps: Qualify Prelims to advance to Mains, then Interview.
- Stay Updated: Check upsc.gov.in for Mains schedule and scribe guidelines.
🎉 A Step Toward Inclusive Governance
UPSC’s notice for PwBD/PwD candidates is a bold step toward making the Civil Services Exam 2025 more accessible. By allowing scribe changes until May 18, 2025, UPSC ensures every candidate can perform at their best. Download the official notice from upsc.gov.in, submit your scribe request on time, and gear up for the May 25, 2025, exam. To all PwBD/PwD aspirants: your determination is inspiring—go conquer the Prelims!
