The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is one of the most prestigious careers in the country, attracting aspirants from diverse backgrounds. A common question many have is whether a person who is deaf or has a hearing disability can pursue and qualify for the IAS. The answer is yes, with certain conditions and guidelines.
Eligibility of Deaf Candidates for IAS
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) to recruit IAS officers. The eligibility criteria include nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and physical fitness. For candidates with disabilities, the government provides reservation under the Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) category.
Deaf and hard-of-hearing candidates fall under the Hearing Impairment (HI) category. To be considered, the degree of disability usually needs to be 40% or more, as recognized by a medical authority.
Reservation and Support
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Reserved seats: Out of the total vacancies each year, a certain percentage is reserved for candidates with disabilities, including those with hearing impairment.
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Relaxations: Age relaxation, number of attempts, and other concessions are given to PwBD candidates.
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Assistive measures: Facilities such as scribes, extra exam time, and hearing aids may be allowed during the examination, depending on the individual’s needs.
Service Allocation for Hearing-Impaired Candidates
While deaf candidates can clear the IAS examination, the final allocation depends on a medical board’s assessment. Some services in the civil services list have strict medical requirements (for example, Indian Police Service or Indian Railway Traffic Service). However, many services, including IAS, IFS (Indian Foreign Service), and IRS (Indian Revenue Service), are generally considered suitable for candidates with hearing impairment.
Real-Life Examples
Several hearing-impaired candidates have successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination and served as IAS or other Group A officers. Their success stories prove that a hearing disability is not a barrier to achieving excellence in administration.
Conclusion
Being deaf does not disqualify a person from becoming an IAS officer. With government support, reservation policies, and assistive technology, candidates with hearing impairment can compete fairly and serve the nation with distinction. What truly matters is determination, hard work, and the ability to lead—qualities that are not limited by hearing ability.