The Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in Madhya Pradesh expressed strong concerns over the Employees Selection Board's (ESB) decision to exclude the Gwalior-Chambal region from disability exams, limiting centers to Bhopal, Indore, and Jabalpur. This leaves candidates from eight districts facing long travel difficulties. Dr. Khemariya urged ESB to reconsider and add Gwalior as an exam center to ensure equal participation opportunities for all disabled candidates.
Bhopal, September 3, 2026
Madhya Pradesh Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Dr Ajay Khemariya has raised serious concern over the exclusion of the Gwalior-Chambal region from the examination centres announced by the Employees Selection Board (ESB) for candidates with disabilities.
In a letter to the ESB, Dr Khemariya expressed displeasure over the decision to provide examination centres only in Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur. The examination relates to recruitment against around 200 posts reserved for persons with disabilities.
The arrangement leaves candidates from eight districts of the Gwalior and Chambal divisions without a nearby examination centre. They will have to travel long distances to Bhopal, Indore or Jabalpur to appear in the examination.
This may cause additional hardship to candidates with physical, visual and other disabilities. Many of them require accessible transport, attendants and suitable accommodation while travelling.
The Gwalior-Chambal region covers Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Datia, Guna and Ashoknagar districts. Gwalior is also a major educational centre with schools, colleges, universities and institutions of national importance.
Against this background, the absence of even one examination centre in the region has raised questions over the ESB’s planning. It also appears inconsistent with the purpose of reservation, which seeks to improve access to public employment for persons with disabilities.
Dr Khemariya asked the Board to reconsider its decision and provide an examination centre in Gwalior. Such a step would benefit candidates from both divisions and reduce the physical and financial burden on them.
The issue is particularly important because accessibility does not end with the reservation of vacancies. Candidates must also be provided a fair and practical opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Long-distance travel can itself become a barrier for a person with disability. The difficulty becomes greater when accessible public transport, affordable accommodation or assistance is not readily available.
The Commissioner’s intervention has now placed the matter before the ESB. A review of the centre allocation could ensure that candidates from the Gwalior-Chambal region are not placed at a disadvantage even before the recruitment examination begins.