CLAT 2027: Consortium Releases PwD Policy; Check Scribe, Compensatory Time & Other Accommodations
The Consortium of National Law Universities (CNLUs) has released the Persons with Disability (PwD) Policy for CLAT 2027.
The policy outlines the provisions for equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities appearing for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2027.
Who is Eligible for Reasonable Accommodation?
Candidates with a disability as defined under Section 2(s) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 are entitled to avail reasonable accommodation in CLAT 2027, subject to the policy.
The accommodations may include:
- Compensatory time
- Scribe/reader assistance
- Screen-reading software
- Assistive technology
- Easier access to examination centres, among other facilities.
Candidates who develop a disability after submitting their CLAT application may also request reasonable accommodation by submitting the required documents. Such requests must be made at the earliest and not later than two working days before the scheduled examination.
How to Apply for PwD Accommodation?
Candidates requiring PwD-related accommodation must indicate their requirements while filling out the CLAT 2027 application form.
Candidates must:
- Select the appropriate PwD/disability category in the application form.
- Upload a valid UDID Card or Disability Certificate as proof of disability.
- Indicate whether they require a scribe.
- For specific accommodations other than a scribe, such as assistive technology or special seating, write to the Nodal Officer, PwD, CLAT 2027.
Candidates should also mark a copy to clatoffice@consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
Documents Required
Candidates must submit proof of disability in the form of either:
- A valid UDID Card, or
- A Disability Certificate issued by a competent Medical Board duly constituted at a Government Hospital.
Documents for Scribe/Reader
Candidates with blindness, locomotor disability, or cerebral palsy may use a scribe based on their valid UDID Card or Disability Certificate issued by the competent authority.
Candidates with other disabilities, including those with less than 40% disability, who wish to use a scribe must submit a certificate from the prescribed Government Medical Authority stating that:
- The candidate has a functional limitation in writing; and
- The candidate requires the assistance of a scribe.
Compensatory Time
Eligible candidates will receive 40 minutes of additional time.
Accordingly, the total examination duration for eligible candidates will be 2 hours and 40 minutes.
The additional time will be provided to all eligible candidates, including candidates using a scribe/reader.
Scribe/Reader Facility
Candidates have two options:
- Bring their own scribe/reader; or
- Request the Consortium to arrange a scribe/reader.
A candidate-arranged scribe must satisfy the eligibility requirements prescribed under the policy. The scribe must not be appearing for the same examination, affiliated with a test-preparatory organisation or coaching centre, or have a conflict of interest with the candidate.
Scribe Qualification
For UG CLAT, the scribe should, at the highest, be qualified up to one level below the qualification of the candidate. The policy specifies that, at the highest, the scribe should be a student enrolled in Class 11/equivalent and should not have completed the final examination of Class 11/equivalent.
For PG CLAT, the scribe may be a school student or a student enrolled in an undergraduate programme other than humanities and/or law.
A scribe cannot act as a scribe for more than one candidate in the same examination.
Screen Reader and Assistive Technology
Candidates may use approved technological assistance, subject to a prior request.
This may include:
- JAWS (Job Access with Speech)
- NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access)
- Magnification tools
- Approved calculators
- Other assistive technology approved by the Nodal Officer, PwD, CLAT.
Candidates seeking screen-reader assistance may coordinate with the Nodal Officer for a prior inspection of the devices to be provided during the examination. The inspection will be facilitated one day before the examination.
Other Assistive Devices
Candidates may use disability-related assistive devices such as:
- Prosthetics
- Orthotics
- Hearing aids
- Non-technological magnifying glasses
- Other pre-approved assistive devices, including customised keyboards or mice without in-built memory/storage.
The requirement to use such devices must be communicated to the Nodal Officer in advance.
Accessibility at Examination Centres
The Nodal Officer, PwD, CLAT will make reasonable efforts to ensure that examination centres are accessible to candidates with disabilities.
This may include:
- Ramps
- Lifts
- Appropriate signage
- Separate examination rooms
Reasonable medical assistance will also be available at examination centres in case of emergencies.
What if a Candidate Requires Special Accommodation?
If a candidate requires an accommodation that is not covered by the application form, the requirement should be communicated to the Nodal Officer, PwD, CLAT as early as possible and at least 10 working days before the examination.
Requests may be sent to:
with a copy to:
Confidentiality of PwD Information
Disability-related and medical information submitted by candidates will be kept confidential and accessed only by authorised persons for purposes connected with conducting CLAT and providing reasonable accommodation.
The policy states that such information will be handled in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Important Note for Candidates
The provision of reasonable accommodation under the PwD Policy does not determine or confer eligibility for PwD reservation, admission, or seat allocation in any National Law University.
These matters will continue to be governed by the respective admission rules, reservation policies, and eligibility criteria of individual NLUs.
Candidates are advised to check the admission and reservation policies of the NLUs to which they intend to seek admission.
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Shruti chauhan
Contributing author
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