Reservation Policy for Candidates with Disabilities in the NDA Exam

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a prestigious institution that offers training to candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The NDA exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). In order to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities, the NDA exam follows a reservation policy. Let's delve into the details of this policy:

Reservation Percentage
Candidates with disabilities are provided reservation under the Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) category. The reservation percentage for PwBD candidates in the NDA exam is fixed at 5% of the total vacancies.

Identification of Disabilities
The disabilities covered under the reservation policy are specified by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. These disabilities include:

1. Visual Impairment: Candidates with blindness, low vision, and color blindness.
2. Hearing Impairment: Candidates with deafness and hearing impairment.
3. Locomotor Disability: Candidates with cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims with the affected upper limbs, muscular dystrophy, and multiple disabilities.
4. Intellectual Disability: Candidates with specific learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.
5. Mental Illness: Candidates with mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and others.

Eligibility Criteria
To avail reservation under the PwBD category, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

1. The disability should be certified by a competent medical authority.
2. The disability should not be such that it affects the performance of military duties.
3. The disability should not be progressive or likely to deteriorate.
4. The disability should not be a result of tough physical training or sports activities.

Reservation Procedure
The reservation for PwBD candidates is implemented through the following procedure:

1. Candidates must indicate their disability status while filling out the application form for the NDA exam.
2. They need to provide the necessary medical documents and certificates to support their disability claim.
3. The medical documents are reviewed by the UPSC to determine the eligibility for reservation.
4. If a candidate is found eligible, they are allotted the appropriate reservation percentage.

Conclusion
The NDA exam has a reservation policy in place to provide equal opportunities to candidates with disabilities. This policy ensures that candidates with disabilities are given a fair chance to compete and join the National Defence Academy. By following the prescribed eligibility criteria and reservation procedure, candidates can avail the reservation benefits and pursue their dream of serving the nation in the armed forces.