They were born in 2003 in New Delhi, and have two hearts, two pairs of arms, kidneys, and spinal cords, but a single liver, gallbladder, spleen, and one pair of legs.

Doctors refused to separate them, fearing that one of the twins would die and that the surviving twin would have vascular and neurological loss in his legs.

They were abandoned by their parents just two months old and taken in by Pingalwara Charitable Society, a home for the destitute situated on the outskirts of Amritsar in Punjab, where they were also educated.

Their teachers at the institution found they easily took to working with electric appliances and repairing electric wires.

“They would always try to fix all minor problems related to electricity and electronic appliances in the institution,” a teacher at the charity said.

The twins took a diploma in electrical studies, and have been trained in wiring, household appliances, solar power, electrical circuits, and breakers.

Sohna and Mohna came to the attention of the PSPCL officials after they visited an training site, where they found them studying the electrics and showing great interest in repairing electrical wires.

“We found them technically sound and knowing the job well. So, we decided to recruit them under the disabled person quota on compassionate grounds,” said Mr Venu Parsad, Chief Managing Director PSPCL.

In June, they applied to join the electoral register to vote in local elections in Punjab. However, despite applying on separate forms to claim their right to vote, it is still uncertain whether they will be considered as separate voters or one at the time of voting, and how they will comply with a secret ballot.

Officials argue they should qualify for separate voting rights as both of them speak and have separate cognitive functions.