Mumbai: As the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) examinations commenced on 19 April, several specially-abled students have been left in a state of uncertainty and distress due to the lack of timely approval for writers from the NIOS Pune regional office.
Despite multiple requests, several students with disabilities are still awaiting permission to avail the assistance of an amanuensis—a provision critical for those unable to write independently. The delays have caused widespread concern among educators, parents, and support staff who work closely with these students.
Ranju Tripathi, a psychotherapist and special educator who mentors several specially-abled candidates, attributed the issue to the board’s delayed communication.
“Unlike mainstream board exams where the date sheet is released one to two months in advance, we often receive the NIOS timetable and admit cards barely a week before the exams begin,” she said. “This last-minute notification gives us insufficient time to arrange writers, causing unnecessary stress for students who already face numerous challenges.”
Tripathi recounted a recent incident involving a student from the Marathi medium whose exam began on 19 April. “She hadn’t received approval for a writer and had to appear on her own. Thankfully, the examination centre’s principal stepped in and arranged support, but such goodwill cannot be relied upon consistently,” she added.
Pravin Kale, another educator working with specially-abled learners, highlighted that four of his students—whose exams are scheduled to start from 25 April—have still not received the necessary permissions. “We’ve tried to contact the Pune regional office multiple times, but there has been no response. For many of these students, travelling to Pune to get clarity is not a feasible option. We’re hoping approvals will come through at least a day or two before the exams,” he said.
Kale expressed concern over the mental health impact of these delays, noting that students who are forced to write on their own may face increased anxiety, potentially affecting their performance.
“Even if they choose to attempt the paper independently or defer to the October exam cycle, the emotional toll remains. Sudden stress episodes during exams can severely hamper their focus and writing ability,” he explained.
Educators called on the NIOS administration to adopt a more proactive and transparent approach in dealing with such requests. They urged the board to release timetables and admit cards with ample lead time, and to streamline the approval process for writers to ensure that no student is left unsupported during examinations.
