Punjab Subordinate Services Exam draws flak for allegedly ignoring needs of disabled, visually impaired candidates
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana (Punjab), April 5, 2026:
Ludhiana (Punjab), April 5, 2026: The Subordinate Services Selection Board (SSSB), Punjab, has come under sharp criticism for allegedly mishandling the Group D examination conducted on Sunday for posts advertised in 2025, particularly with respect to disabled and visually impaired candidates. Alumni of SCD Government College, Ludhiana, highlighted the hardships faced by these aspirants in a virtual meet.
According to reports, candidates with disabilities—including over 100 visually impaired aspirants—were allegedly required to travel to distant examination centres outside their home districts. They were also reportedly asked to bring their own scribes, adding to logistical and financial burdens.
Many candidates allegedly had to rent lodgings the night before the exam to reach centres on time, while pre-registration of scribes reportedly necessitated personal visits to the Mohali office of the board.
Alumni Association Secretary Brij Bhushan Goyal criticized the board, saying, “This shows the utter insensitivity of the state government towards disabled and blind students, many of whom come from financially weak backgrounds. Instead of facilitating them, the system has made their participation unnecessarily difficult and stressful.”
Retired Kendriya Vidyalaya Principal Manjit Singh Sandhu added, “Travelling long distances is not just inconvenient—it can be physically exhausting, financially burdensome, and sometimes even unsafe. A humane approach would prioritise home district or nearest possible centres for differently-abled candidates, allow flexibility in centre changes without bureaucratic delays, and ensure accessible infrastructure and support staff.”
Professor P.K. Sharma emphasized the principle of equitable access: “Equality does not mean treating everyone the same—it means giving each person what they need to compete fairly. Small changes like this would not compromise exam integrity but would significantly improve dignity and accessibility for those who need it most.”
Goyal has urged the Punjab Chief Minister and Social Welfare Minister to probe the working of SSSB and sensitize officials to the needs of differently-abled candidates, ensuring fair treatment in future examinations.