Reservations for Students with Low Vision in IITs and BITS

Are there any specific reservations for students who have very low eye vision or visual impairment in institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS)? This article aims to clarify the current reservation policies for such students.

According to the regulations, 3 seats are reserved for persons with disability (PD) in IITs, and it is highly likely that this applies to BITS as well. However, the classification as a PD candidate is determined by a medical board, and the final decision will be made based on a set of criteria defined by the government.

Government Definition of Disability and Vision Impairment

Vision impairment is included under the broader category of disability as defined by the government. The criteria for blindness include the following:

Total absence of sight Visual acuity not exceeding 6/60 or 20/200 Snellen in the better eye with correcting lenses Limited field of vision subtending an angle of 20 degrees or worse

Reservations in IITs

For IITs, the policy is clear that candidates with a physical disability of at least 40 are eligible. Additionally, in each institute, 3 seats in every category are reserved for PD candidates. However, it's important to note that for the past few years, the PD quota in IITs has often gone unfilled.

For physical disability, the threshold is typically around 23 or higher. A simple case of myopia or hypermetropia generally will not qualify a student for the PD quota, as these conditions do not meet the defined criteria for a significant disability.

Reservations in BITS

When it comes to BITS, there is no reservation policy for students with physical challenges, including low vision. There is no specific quota for persons with disability, and the institution does not reserve seats based on visual impairment or other forms of disability.

Conclusion

The availability of reservations for students with low vision in both IITs and BITS hinges on the specific criteria set by the governing bodies. It is crucial for students to verify the current policies and consult the official guidelines provided by the institutions they are applying to, given that the definitions and thresholds can vary.

For more detailed and up-to-date information, students are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek clarification directly from the respective institution.