Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) : RRB NTPC Recruitment 2024

11.1 Suitability for PwBD:

The suitability of a post for PwBD has been indicated in the “Suitability for Persons with Benchmark Disability” column in the Post Parameters Table (Annexure A). Benchmark Disabilities are defined as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 (effective from April 19, 2017), and include:

• Blindness and low vision
• Deaf and hard of hearing
• Locomotor disability, including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy
• Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness
• Multiple disabilities, including deaf-blindness, for posts identified for each disability.

11.2 Definition of Specified Disabilities: RRB NTPC Recruitment 2024

Definitions of various disabilities are outlined below as per the Schedule of the RPwD Act, 2016:

1. Physical Disability:
   • Locomotor Disability: A person’s inability to execute distinctive activities associated with movement due to musculoskeletal or nervous system issues, including:
     • Leprosy Cured: A person cured of leprosy but with physical impairments that enable them to engage in economic activity.
     • Cerebral Palsy: A non-progressive neurological condition affecting muscle coordination, usually from birth.
     • Dwarfism: Medical/genetic condition resulting in an adult height of less than 147 cm (4 feet 10 inches).
     • Muscular Dystrophy: Genetic muscle disease leading to progressive muscle weakness.
     • Acid Attack Victims: Persons disfigured due to acid attacks.
2. Visual Impairment:
   • Blindness: Total absence of sight or severe visual impairment after best correction.
   • Low Vision: Visual acuity not exceeding 6/18 or limitation of the field of vision.
3. Hearing Impairment:
   • Deaf: Hearing loss of 70 dB or more in both ears.
   • Hard of Hearing: Hearing loss between 60 dB and 70 dB.
4. Speech and Language Disability:
   • Permanent disabilities such as laryngectomy or aphasia affecting communication.
5. Intellectual Disability:
   • Specific Learning Disabilities: Includes conditions like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.
   • Autism Spectrum Disorder: Neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication and relationships.
6. Mental Behaviour:
   • Mental Illness: A disorder affecting mood, perception, or memory impairing daily life.
7. Disability due to Chronic Neurological Conditions:
   • Multiple Sclerosis: An inflammatory disease affecting the brain and spinal cord.
   • Parkinson’s Disease: A progressive neurological disorder affecting motor function.
8. Blood Disorders:
   • Haemophilia: A genetic disorder impairing blood clotting.
   • Thalassemia: A disorder affecting hemoglobin production.
   • Sickle Cell Disease: A disorder causing chronic anemia and organ damage.
9. Multiple Disabilities:
   • Combinations of the above-specified disabilities, including deaf-blindness.
10. Other Categories:
    • Any other disability as may be notified by the Central Government.

11.3 Degree of Benchmark Disability for Reservation:

Only candidates with 40% or more benchmark disability are eligible for reservation. Those availing relaxation or reservation must submit a Certificate of Disability issued by a Competent Authority (refer to Annexure V (A), V (B), and V (C) for formats).

11.4 Assistance of Scribe:

Candidates with specific disabilities (visual impairment, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, etc.) can avail the assistance of a scribe. RRBs will provide scribes, or candidates can bring their own scribe, subject to conditions such as:

• The scribe’s qualification should be below that of the candidate.
• The scribe must not be a candidate for the same exam.
• Candidates will be granted compensatory time (20 minutes per hour of the exam).

11.5 Ineligibility for Scribe: RRB NTPC Recruitment 2024

Candidates with less than 40% visual impairment or one-eyed candidates are not eligible for a scribe.

11.6 Medical Examination:

Selected PwBD candidates must pass a medical examination by Railway Medical Authorities to confirm eligibility based on Indian Railway Medical Manual standards.

11.7 Relaxation in Marks for PwBD Candidates:

Where vacancies are reserved for PwBD candidates but a full panel cannot be formed due to minimum qualifying marks, a relaxation of up to 2 marks in the minimum qualifying marks may be allowed for PwBD candidates in each category (UR, SC, ST, OBC-NCL).