Karnataka | Lecturers avoid transfers with 'fake' disability certificates of self, dependents

Bengaluru: Following the decision by the department of collegiate education (DCE) to cancel the mandatory transfer of teachers with benchmark disabilities and teachers whose dependents have benchmark disabilities, allegations have surfaced that the clause is being “misused” by some teachers to avoid transfers.

According to a DCE notification dated September 26, 2024, the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Teaching Staff of Department of Collegiate Education) Rules, 2021, were amended. 

“Teachers with benchmark disabilities and those having husband/wife, children and dependent parents, who are persons with benchmark disability, shall not be transferred unless requested, which shall be considered only after completion of the minimum length of service as prescribed in rule 4(1),” the amendment
states.

Based on the amendment, the DCE issued a notification on May 23, 2025, on transfers.

DH has learnt that over 100 requests were received by the department.

Several lecturers with benchmark disability feel the new amendment is being “misused”.

National Federation of the Blind, KSGEAB (Karnataka State Government Employees Association for the Blind) and Sakshama organisation have submitted a memorandum to DCE commissioner N Manjushree in this regard.

“We welcome the government’s decision to provide special opportunities to teachers with disabilities and teachers with dependents having disabilities. However, some teachers without disabilities are misusing this by claiming to be disabled, while some others are obtaining ‘benchmark’ disability (40% disability) certificates for their dependents.”

The memorandum said benchmark disability could be used only for educational and job purposes. It alleged that some lecturers were availing ‘fake’ medical certificates to claim disability. 

It urged the department not to consider those cases where professors haven’t updated about their dependents in the EMIS. 

“In cases where dependents have over 80% disability, the department shouldn’t just depend on medical certificates. Instead, an expert doctor should again examine the disability in the presence of the commissioner. If they don’t qualify, these cases shouldn’t be considered and there should be strict action against violators,” it said. 

“As per the rules, lecturers have to update the Employment Management Information System (EMIS) about their dependents’ disabilities within 6 months only. Some people have taken medical certificates after the notification was released. This only shows that they are cheating,” an associate professor who spoke on the condition of anonymity said. 

In-house panel

Manjushree told DH: “We are only considering the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) provided by the Government of India. An in-house committee has been formed to look into these certificates. If we suspect anything suspicious, we will refer it to the health department. We won’t take it at face value”.