The Court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) has instructed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to allow the use of computers and calculators for board exam candidates with learning disorders for the CBSE Board Exam 2026. This move reinforces legal rights and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
Court Directive on Assistive Devices for CBSE Students with Disabilities
The court action stems from a case where a student with learning disorders was initially offered only a calculator under existing board guidelines. The court ruled that the board must:
- Provide access to a computer and calculator as required by the student’s certified accommodation needs.
- Ensure full compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the accommodations specified in medical certificates.
- Sensitise exam officials at centres about the needs of persons with disabilities to facilitate an inclusive examination environment.
- Conduct an electronic device/system check a day before the exam to familiarise students with the computer setup.
The directive emphasises that restrictions cited by the board’s existing guidelines cannot be used to deny necessary assistive tools when legally mandated accommodations are certified.
CBSE Board Exam Rights and Legal Context under the RPwD Act
Under Sections 16 and 17 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, educational boards are required to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to examinations. Assistive tools such as computers and calculators fall under such accommodations when specified in medical documentation. The court noted that the board had not sufficiently demonstrated undue burden or risk in providing these tools, reinforcing that inclusion should be prioritised within reasonable means.
Impact on CBSE Board Exam 2026
- Students with learning disorders and documented needs can expect assistive devices now that the court has intervened.
- Schools and CBSE officials will need to update exam day procedures to accommodate these tools.
- The directive strengthens inclusive exam practices ahead of the CBSE Board Exam 2026 schedule.
This development marks a significant step toward more accessible board examinations for students with special needs, aligning educational assessment with legal rights and student welfare.