Reservation in promotion to PwBDs: DoP&T clarifies on benchmark grading, exam criteria, SC/ST relaxation and dual category eligibility

Reservation in promotion to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs): DoP&T clarifies on benchmark grading, exam criteria, SC/ST relaxation, dual category eligibility in OM dated 29.05.2023

Main points of OM

1. Subject: Reservation in promotion for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs).
2. Referral to Railway Ministry: Comments sought on specific sections of previous OM.
3. Selection Basis: Benchmark Grading in APARs for promotion on a ‘selection’ basis.
4. Examination Criteria: PwBDs’ qualifying marks and relaxation to be determined by Administrative Ministry/Department.
5. Relaxation Variability: Relaxation extent varies case by case depending on examination criteria and vacancies.
6. SC/ST Relaxation: Similar relaxation for PwBDs if not enough SC/ST candidates qualify, with eligibility clarity.
7. Dual Category Consideration: PwBDs belonging to SC/ST can seek relaxation in either category, not both.
8. Approval: Issued with the approval of Additional Secretary (Estt.), Government of India.

No. 36035/1 /2023-Estt.(Res-II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 29th May, 2023.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Reservation in promotion to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs).

The undersigned is directed to refer to Ministry of Railways OM No. E(NG)/2019/PM4/8 dated 05.04.2023 regarding the above cited Subject seeking comments on Para 8.1 & 8.2 of DoPT OM No. 36012/01/2020-Estt. (Res-II) dated 1 7.05.2022.

2. In this regard, it is informed that as far as the issue of promotion on ‘selection’ basis is concerned, the basic standard for Selection, as prescribed through the OM No. 35034/7/97-Estt(D) dated 08.02.2002, is the Benchmark Grading in APARs.

3. In case of Limited Departmental Examination/Departmental Examination, minimum qualifying marks for PwBDs may be decided by the Administrative Ministry/Department in consultation with the Recruiting Agency conducting the – examination. Therefore, the issue of extent of such relaxation for PwBDs would mean a lower cut-off marks to qualify and that could vary from post to Post depending upon the minimum qualifying marks specified for the examination and the cut-off marks arrived at based upon the number of vacancies to be filled up though this examination. Accordingly, the extent of relaxation may vary from case to case.

4. If any extent of relaxation has been decided for a Particular Limited Departmental Examination/Departmental Examination in respect of Candidates belonging to SC/ST category, where Sufficient number of candidates belonging to SC/ST categories (as per vacancies earmarked for these categories) do not qualify the examination in the normal course, same extent of relaxation can be extended to candidates belonging to to those PwBD category, who do not belong to SC/ST category. In case the Candidates belonging to PwBD category also belong to SC/ST category, they would be eligible to be considered either as a SC/ST Category or PwBD category candidate for seeking relaxation of Standard for Departmental} Examination but not both.”

5. This issues with the approval of Additional Secretary (Estt).

(Debabrata Das)
Under Secretary to the Government of India