UPSC Ordered to Allow Scribe Changes and Introduce Screen Readers for Disabled Aspirants Supreme Court
- Kamaleesh Don
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
In a landmark judgment aimed at promoting inclusivity in competitive examinations, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to upgrade accessibility provisions for candidates with disabilities. The ruling is seen as a major victory for disability rights advocates and aligns with the spirit of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Background
The decision came on a writ petition filed by Mission Accessibility, which sought fair and barrier-free examination support for persons with disabilities. The case was heard by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, who emphasized the need to ensure equal opportunity for all aspirants appearing for UPSC examinations.
Key Directions of the Supreme Court
Flexibility to Change Scribes
Candidates who depend on scribes will now have greater flexibility:
They may request a change of scribe up to seven days before the examination.
UPSC must process and decide such requests within three working days to prevent last-minute inconvenience to candidates.
This measure is expected to help students who face unexpected communication or availability issues with their scribes.
Screen Reader Plan for Visually Impaired Candidates
In a major step toward technological accessibility:
UPSC must prepare a comprehensive plan to introduce screen reader software during examinations within two months.
The plan should include testing schedules, implementation timelines, and technical validation to ensure seamless usage from the next exam cycle.
This upgrade is projected to significantly benefit visually impaired candidates by enabling greater independence during examinations.
Collaboration for Uniform Standards
The apex court has mandated strong inter-agency coordination to guarantee smooth and standardized implementation:
UPSC must collaborate with:
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)
National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD)
Technical and administrative support will be provided by:
Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
State governments and examination bodies across the country are expected to ensure compliance wherever applicable.
Upholding Constitutional Values
The Supreme Court highlighted that accessibility in examinations is not a privilege but a constitutional right. The judgment reaffirmed that:
“The rights guaranteed to persons with disabilities are not acts of benevolence, but expressions of the constitutional promise of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination under Articles 14, 19, and 21.”
The bench emphasised that real equality comes from removing barriers, not simply treating everyone uniformly, and reiterated that UPSC’s processes must be transparent, fair, and sensitive to every section of society.
The ruling marks a significant step toward ensuring that no deserving candidate is denied an opportunity due to physical limitations, and it sets a precedent for other recruitment and examination bodies across India to adopt inclusive reforms.
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