A person shall not be qualified to be appointed as a State Commissioner for Persons with Disability under sub-section (1) of section 79 of the Act unless the person:-
(i) has special knowledge or practical experience in respect of the matters relating to rehabilitation of persons with disabilities;
(ii) has not attained the age of sixty years on the 1st January of the year in which the last date for receipt of applications, as specified in the advertisement inviting applications for appointment of the State Commissioner, occurs;
(iii) if in service under the Central Government or a State Government, shall seek retirement from such service before being appointed to the post; and
(iv) possesses the following educational qualifications and experience, namely:-
(a) Educational qualifications:-
(i) Essential: Graduate from a recognized university;
(ii) desirable: recognized degree or diploma in social work or law or management or human rights or rehabilitation or education of disabled persons.
(b) Experience: at least twenty years experience in a Group 'A' level or equivalent post:-
(i) in Central or State Government or
(ii) Public Sector Undertakings or Semi Government or Autonomous Bodies dealing with disability related matters or social sector or
(iii) works in the capacity of a senior level functionary in a registered State or national or international level voluntary organization working in the field of disability or social development:
Provided that out of the total twenty years experience mentioned in this sub-clause, at least ten years of experience in the recent past had been in the field of empowerment of persons with disabilities.