CCPD, UGC seek UoH records after researcher flags disability quota issue
The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has been asked to submit details of its reservation and selection process after a hearing-impaired researcher alleged that no seat was earmarked for persons with disabilities in the PhD programme in Communication.
The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) has sought the university's reservation roster, seat matrices and admission records, while the University Grants Commission (UGC) has separately sought a factual report and details of action taken or proposed.
The complaint was filed by M Vikram Aditya Reddy, who has 83 per cent hearing impairment, against the UoH registrar. According to his father, Vikram holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree with first class and distinction and has qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET) with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Mass Communication and Journalism.
Vikram had applied for the PhD programme after declaring his disability and submitting the required documents.
In its order dated Monday, September 21, the CCPD gave UoH 15 days to submit a point-wise response along with supporting documents. The authority has not yet recorded a final finding of violation.
The CCPD referred to Section 32 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, which requires government higher-education institutions to reserve at least 5 per cent of seats for persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD). It also said candidates from the category who qualify on merit should be counted against open seats.
The authority said an eligible candidate cannot be deferred merely because of administrative convenience.
UoH response
UoH's Controller of Examinations told the CCPD that the university has an approved roster providing 5 per cent reservation across its overall intake. The university said the roster is monitored by liaison officers, the Reservation Cell and other officials.
It said admissions for 2026-27 were still underway and PwBD candidates were being considered under applicable norms. The university also said the Communication admission cycle had already closed and another cycle would follow.
The university also gave information regarding examination accommodations. It initially stated that scribes and compensatory time were being provided but later acknowledged that its statement on compensatory time was incorrect.
UoH subsequently confirmed that candidates were entitled to 20 minutes of compensatory time for every hour of examination.
After allegations that hearing-impaired candidates were not provided suitable alternative or objective-type questions, the CCPD recommended proper implementation of the accommodation guidelines.
