Classification
Classification, explained simply
Classification is how para sport stays fair. Here is what it means, who is eligible, and how to get classified in Gujarat.
Eligible impairments
Ten eligible impairment types
The IPC recognises ten impairment types. Each sport decides which of them it caters for and sets minimum impairment criteria.
- 01
Impaired muscle power
e.g. spinal cord injury, spina bifida, post-polio
- 02
Impaired passive range of movement
e.g. arthrogryposis, joint contractures
- 03
Limb deficiency
amputation or congenital absence of a limb
- 04
Leg length difference
significant difference in leg length
- 05
Short stature
reduced standing height and limb length
- 06
Hypertonia
increased muscle tension, e.g. cerebral palsy
- 07
Ataxia
lack of coordination, e.g. cerebral palsy, brain injury
- 08
Athetosis
involuntary movements, e.g. cerebral palsy
- 09
Vision impairment
reduced or no vision (B1–B3 / classes 11–13)
- 10
Intellectual impairment
recognised in athletics, swimming and table tennis
The process
How to get classified in Gujarat
- Step 1
Check eligibility
Your impairment must be one of the ten eligible types and meet the minimum impairment criteria for the sport you want to play.
- Step 2
Gather documents
Disability certificate or UDID card, medical reports describing the impairment, photo ID, and passport-size photographs.
- Step 3
Request a slot
Write to the support desk or your district coordinator. Classification is normally done at camps or before championships by PCI-recognised panels.
- Step 4
Evaluation
A classification panel (medical and technical classifiers) assesses you physically, technically and, where relevant, in competition observation.
- Step 5
Receive your class
You are allocated a sport class and a status: New (N), Review (R) or Confirmed (C). Your class appears on the PCI master list.
FAQ
Common questions
What is classification and why does it exist?
Classification groups athletes with similar levels of activity limitation so that success is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactics and mental focus, not by the degree of impairment. It is the foundation of fair competition in para sport.
Is a disability certificate enough to compete?
No. A disability certificate or UDID establishes that you have a disability under Indian law, but sport classification is a separate, sport-specific assessment by trained classifiers. You need both to enter recognised championships.
What do the letters and numbers mean, such as T37 or F46?
In para athletics, T stands for track and F for field. The first digit indicates the impairment group (e.g. 3 for coordination impairments, 4 for limb deficiency or short stature) and the second the degree of impairment. Other sports use their own systems: S/SB/SM in swimming, SL/SU/WH in badminton, and so on.
How long does classification take and does it cost anything?
The assessment itself usually takes under an hour. Any fees are set by PCI or the organising body; the Chapter will publish them for each camp. Where possible we look for partners to cover costs for first-time athletes.
Can my class change?
Yes. Athletes with New or Review status may be re-assessed, and a class can change if the impairment or the sport's rules change. Confirmed status means no further review is required unless a protest or rule change occurs.
I live far from Ahmedabad. How do I get classified?
Write to us with your district. The Chapter is planning district-level camps across Gujarat and will notify registered athletes when a panel is coming to their region.
Detailed, sport-specific rules are published by each International Federation and by the IPC. This page is a guide, not a substitute for those rules. See the sports.
Ready to be classified?
Send us your district, your sport of interest and your disability certificate. We will tell you the next available panel.