The State government has extended the benefit of grace marks to students with intellectual disability appearing for examinations conducted by the Controller of Technical Examinations, bringing them on par with other categories of persons with disabilities. The Higher Education department has issued an order making students with intellectual disability, who have a permanent disability of 40% or more, eligible for moderation of grace marks equivalent to 25% of the maximum marks in each theory paper.

According to official sources, the government had introduced various examination concessions for students with disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy, epilepsy with locomotor disability, autism, blindness, hearing impairment, mental challenges and specific learning disabilities over the years. Such concessions include 25% grace marks for each theory paper, examination support measures and compensatory time.

However, while students with intellectual disability had already been provided examination concessions such as the services of a scribe or reader, they have not been eligible for the 25% grace marks available to other disability categories. Under such circumstances, the Director of Technical Education had recommended extending the same benefit to students with intellectual disability with 40% or more permanent disability.

While the benefit will be made available to all examinations conducted by the Controller of Technical Examinations, it will be granted on the basis of a disability certificate issued by a medical board.

Published - August 12, 2026 03:38 pm IST