Exam Concessions, Certification & Legal Rights in India (Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia)
Children with dyslexia or other learning disabilities are often bright, intelligent and curious—but struggle in written exams. They understand concepts but cannot write fast, spell correctly, or solve math problems under time pressure. This leads to poor marks, anxiety, and loss of confidence—not because of lack of intelligence, but due to a different learning pattern.
The Indian education system now officially recognises this.
Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is a legally recognised neurodevelopmental condition. Children diagnosed with SLD are entitled to exam concessions, inclusive education, and protection from academic discrimination.
✅ Why Certification for SLD Is Important
✔ Protects the child from academic failure and humiliation
✔ Enables access to exam concessions (extra time, scribe, reduced syllabus)
✔ Helps in CBSE, ICSE, State Board exams (Class 10/12)
✔ Reduces parental stress and fear of “failed year”
✔ Supports the child’s self-esteem—shifts from “weak student” to “differently-abled learner”
🛑 Who Can Diagnose and Provide SLD Certification?
As per Indian law:
✅ Diagnosis must be done by a team of specialists:
| Required Specialist | Role |
|---|---|
| Psychiatrist or Developmental Pediatrician | Rule out other disorders; confirm SLD |
| Clinical Psychologist | Conduct IQ test + academic skills evaluation |
| Special Educator (RCI registered) | Learning profile and remedial education plan |
| Government Hospital Medical Board | Final disability certificate (Form 5 or 10 under RPwD Act) |
📄 Step-by-Step: How to Get an SLD Certificate
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Parent notices difficulty in reading/writing/math → Consult specialist (psychiatrist/pediatrician)
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Child undergoes:
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IQ test (WISC-IV/MISIC/Binet-Kamat)
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LD battery (NIMHANS SLD test / AIIMS battery)
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Academic assessment
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Reports confirm SLD → Apply for Disability Certificate at:
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Govt Medical College / District Hospital SLD Board
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Medical Board issues SLD Disability Certificate under RPwD Act 2016
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Submit certificate to school → School applies to CBSE/ICSE/State Board for exam concessions
🏫 What Exam Concessions Can Students with SLD Get? (CBSE, ICSE & State Boards)
| Concession | Details |
|---|---|
| Extra time | +1 hour for 3-hour paper (i.e., 4 hours total) |
| Scribe (Writer) | Child can dictate answers to a writer (Class below their grade level) |
| Laptop/Computer typing | Allowed in exams (only for writing, no internet/spellcheck) |
| Exemption from second language | Hindi/Tamil/Sanskrit can be exempted; alternate subjects allowed |
| Alternate subjects | CBSE allows Skill Subjects instead of Math or Science (in severe cases) |
| Grace marks | Allowed for borderline failure cases |
| No deduction for spelling/grammar errors | Especially in language papers |
| Oral exams instead of written (for languages) | Some boards allow viva-voce formats |
📌 NIOS – Best Alternative for Struggling Students
National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS):
✔ Flexible schooling system
✔ Choice of 5 subjects (no compulsory Math/Science)
✔ No age restrictions or year loss
✔ Recognised for college & government exams
✔ Ideal for children with severe dyslexia, ADHD, autism or chronic illness
⚖️ Legal Rights Under RPwD Act 2016
✅ Inclusive education is a right, not a favour
✅ Schools cannot deny admission due to SLD
✅ Corporal punishment & shaming is legally punishable
✅ Child must be provided with Individualised Education Plan (IEP)
✅ If a school refuses concessions → complain to State Disability Commissioner / CBSE Board
❤️ Common Mistakes Parents & Schools Make
🚫 Waiting till Board exams or 10th standard to diagnose
🚫 Forcing tuitions instead of remediation
🚫 Blaming child: “lazy”, “irresponsible”, “character problem”
🚫 Refusing certification due to “stigma”
🚫 Teachers saying: “Don’t give certificate; your child will get labelled”
📢 Truth: Certification protects the child’s future. It does not label them — it empowers them.
👨⚕️ Author & Clinical Support
Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T
MD (AIIMS, New Delhi), DNB Psychiatry
Child, Adolescent & Family Psychiatrist
Mind & Memory Clinic – Apollo Clinic
(Opp. Phoenix MarketCity), Velachery, Chennai – 600042
📞 +91-8595155808 | 🌐 www.srinivasaiims.com