Summary
In a public interest writ seeking accessibility measures for candidates with disabilities in UPSC examinations, the Court recorded UPSC's in-principle decision to introduce Screen Reader Software, found that implementation lacked a roadmap, and issued directions: change of scribe to be allowed up to seven days before an examination with reasoned decisions in three working days, a compliance affidavit with a plan and timeline for screen readers, uniform guidelines, and Union support.
Issues
- Whether UPSC should permit candidates eligible for a scribe to change scribe details closer to the examination instead of fixing them at the application stage.
- Whether and how UPSC should permit visually impaired candidates to use Screen Reader Software and accessible digital question papers in its examinations.
Provisions considered
- Articles 14 and 21, Constitution of IndiaThe directions were issued to give effect to the guarantees of equality, non-discrimination and dignity for persons with disabilities in public examinations. (¶¶ 12, 13)
- The Act generally, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016Read with Articles 14 and 21 as the basis for ensuring equal opportunity and accessibility for candidates with disabilities; no specific section was construed. (¶¶ 2, 12)
Held
- By interim order the Court had required UPSC to entertain change-of-scribe requests until a cut-off date and to decide each objectively by a reasoned order within three working days. (¶ 5)
- UPSC's in-principle decision to extend Screen Reader Software to visually impaired candidates largely met the grievance, but without a roadmap, timeline or uniform standards the policy risked remaining on paper; concrete planning and inter-agency coordination were required. (¶¶ 9, 10)
- Every UPSC examination notification must allow candidates eligible for a scribe to request a change of scribe up to at least seven days before the examination, with requests decided objectively by reasoned order within three working days. (¶ 11)
- UPSC must file a compliance affidavit within two months setting out the plan, timeline, testing and standardisation for Screen Reader Software and the feasibility of making it available from the next examination cycle; it must frame uniform guidelines with DEPwD and NIEPVD, and the Union must give administrative and technical support, while keeping the examination secure and fair. (¶ 11)
- Rights of persons with disabilities are constitutional entitlements to equality and dignity, not benevolence; a body such as UPSC must make its processes accessible and implement such measures in earnest. (¶¶ 12, 13)
Result
Writ petition disposed of with directions to UPSC and the Union of India; matter to be listed on 16.02.2026 to receive UPSC's compliance affidavit.