What is Scribe Facility for PwD in GATE: Eligibility, Guidelines, Documents, Compensatory Time, and Steps

What is the scribe facility for PwD candidates in the GATE 2026? The GATE 2026 registrations are ongoing on the GATE’s official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates willing to apply for MTech or PhD admissions can submit their application form till October 9 (with late fees). However, candidates falling under the PwD category must avail of the scribe facility provided as per the government guidelines issued for the GATE exam 2026. Read below for more. 

What is scribe facility for PwD candidates in GATE 2026? This year, the Indian Institute of Guwahati is conducting the GATE 2026 exam. The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted in two shifts on February 7, 8, 14, and 15. Candidates willing to get a scribe assistance can opt while filling the GATE application form 2026. 

But, before we begin, let’s understand what exactly the scribe facility in GATE 2026 is and who is eligible for it.

What is the scribe facility in the GATE Exam?

A scribe assistant or candidate is offered to the PwD candidates to write the GATE exam on their behalf. The scribe reads and aids with the mouse clicks, while the candidate dictates them with the answers, ensuring a fair examination process as per the guidelines. PwD candidates can opt for the scribe facility at the time of filling the GATE 2026 application form. Also, to be eligible for the GATE scribe facility, candidates must provide the mentioned documents during registration. 

Who can opt for the GATE 2026 Scribe Facility?

The GATE authorities issue an official notification regarding the scribe facility along with the information brochure. The following applicants can opt for the GATE 2026 scribe facility -

• A PwD candidate, in the category of blindness, locomotor disability (both arms), and cerebral palsy, can request the facility after the submission of a valid disability certificate/ UDID card. 
• Candidates who have difficulty writing due to a specific disability can also ask for scribe assistance in the GATE 2026 exam. 

What documents are required to opt for Scribe Assistance in GATE?

To avail the “scribe facility for GATE 2026”, the applicant must provide a valid proof justifying their disability. The following documents must be provided at the time of GATE 2026 registration -

• PwD certificate (scanned in PDF format)

The document/certificate must be issued after a medical examination by a multi-member medical authority chaired by the Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon/Chief District Medical Officer/Medical Superintendent of a Government healthcare institution. 

How to avail Scribe for the GATE exam 2026?

Candidates can avail the scribe facility while filling out the GATE application form 2026. The scribe will be arranged by the GATE exam conducting authorities. Candidates can follow the steps below to avail the GATE 2026 scribe facility for PwD in GATE. 

• Visit the GATE’s 2026 official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in
• Click on the application portal link
• Register to generate an enrollment ID and password.
• Log in using the credentials and fill out the application form. 
• Fill out the details under “scribe facility” and upload the PwD certificate
• Pay the application fees and submit the form. 

The GATE will arrange the scribe assistance as per the government guidelines. Applicants must note that the scribe will communicate only in English. 

Government Guidelines for Scribe Assistance in GATE: Scribe Facility arranged by GATE

GATE scribes are available for PwD and dyslexic applicants only (who have availed the facility) at the time of registration. As per the government guidelines, the scribe’s educational qualification must be a minimum of two academic years below and a maximum of three academic years below. 

For GATE, the qualification of the scribe will be either a 12th pass or in the first year of the undergraduate degree. If there are Y candidates who require a scribe, a panel of (Y+1) scribes will be made available at the GATE exam centre, so that every candidate can have an alternative scribe to choose for the service. 

A PwD/Dyslexic certificate (or similar learning disability) will be offered with two scribe candidates from the panel. The applicant has to choose one from the options available. 

NOTE: Candidates must not bring their own scribe if they have opted for “Scribes arranged by GATE”

GATE 2026: Scribes Arranged by Candidates

If the applicant opts to bring their own scribe, then the scribe must not be eligible to appear for the GATE exam. Before selecting this option, candidates must go through the guidelines and instructions carefully. 

• The educational qualification of the scribe must be a minimum of two academic years below and a maximum of three academic years below (the minimum qualification for appearing in GATE 2026).
• If a candidate is bringing their own scribe, then it must inform earlier to the examination body at the time of the application form. 
• In case of an own scribe, any objections to be raised by the examination body as regards of the eligibility of the scribe must be notified 30 days before the date of the GATE 2026 exam, so that the candidate can arrange for a new scribe.
• If a candidate brings a new scribe instead of the previous one (as mentioned before), including the short notice, then the examination body will arrange a scribe from its own pool, subject to availability.
• In case any PwD/Dyslexic candidate opted “to bring their own scribe”, but they do not bring their own scribe, then it will not be possible to arrange a new scribe. Honorarium will not be paid to such scribes. 

Also read:

• GATE 2026 eligibility criteria: who can apply, age criteria, educational qualifications, etc.
• What is the GATE 2026 GOAPS portal: steps to create, instructions, and more
• GATE 2026 photo and signature guidelines: step-by-step guide, instructions, and samples

Devices accepted for PwD Candidates during the GATE exam

The following assistive devices are permitted while attempting the GATE 2026 examination -

• Braille slate
• Wheel chair

The GATE authorities will not provide any of the above devices. Also, while attempting the entrance test, the candidates will be given an option to view the content on the computer screen in a magnified font (approximately 1.25x or 1.5x). It is advisable to visit the GATE 2026 exam centre a day before the exam to stay familiar with the place and arrangements. 

Compensatory Time Offered to PwD Candidates for Appearing GATE Exam

Candidates can avail a compensatory time of 60 minutes, which can be checked on the candidate’s console. PwD candidates with disabilities can also request compensatory time during application form filling (even if they are not using any scribe assistance). However, on-the-spot requests for compensatory time will not be accepted. 

Documents to be carried to the GATE exam centre (for PwD candidates)

PwD candidates must carry the following documents to the exam centre -

• GATE admit card 2026
• Valid photo ID proof (the one provided at the time of GATE registration)
• PwD/Dyslexic certificate

Candidates must carefully provide their scribe facility details while filling out the GATE application form 2026. IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE exam 2026 on the scheduled dates - February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, for 30 subjects across various cities. Stay tuned for the latest updates on GATE.