MISSION ACCESSIBILITY v. UNION OF INDIA
Supreme Court Directs UPSC to Ensure Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Civil Services Exam: Scribe Changes and Screen Reader Implementation.
Court: Supreme Court of India
Citation: 2025 INSC 1376
Decision Date: 03-12-2025
List of Laws
The Constitution of India; Articles 14, 16, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India; The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016; Civil Services Examination Rules, 2025
Case Brief
- Facts: Mission Accessibility filed a writ petition seeking directions to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding accommodations for persons with disabilities in the Civil Services Examination (CSE). The specific requests included modifying the timeline for scribe registration and permitting the use of laptops with screen reader software and accessible digital question papers.
- Procedural Posture: The case originated as a writ petition in the Supreme Court of India, invoking its civil original jurisdiction. The Court addressed the petition, considering affidavits and submissions from the UPSC and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
- Issue: 1. Whether the UPSC's existing rules and practices adequately address the needs of persons with disabilities, particularly regarding the provision of scribes and the use of assistive technology like screen readers, in the CSE. 2. Whether the UPSC should be directed to implement specific measures to ensure accessibility and equal opportunity for candidates with disabilities in the CSE.
- Holding: The Court held that the UPSC must ensure accessibility and equal opportunity for candidates with disabilities in the CSE. The Court directed the UPSC to allow candidates eligible for a scribe to request a change of scribe up to seven days before the exam, with such requests to be disposed of within three working days. The Court also directed the UPSC to file a compliance affidavit detailing the plan for deploying screen reader software.
- Reasoning: The Court reasoned that the constitutional mandate of equality, non-discrimination, and the right to live with dignity, enshrined in Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, read with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, necessitates meaningful implementation of facilitative measures for persons with disabilities. The Court emphasized that the UPSC, as a premier constitutional body, must ensure its processes are accessible and sensitive to the needs of every segment of society. The Court observed that while the UPSC had taken an in-principle decision to introduce screen reader software, a concrete plan of implementation was lacking. The Court issued directions to ensure that the decision is effectively translated into action and the rights of candidates with disabilities are fully safeguarded, stating that "the true measure of inclusivity in governance lies not merely in the formulation of progressive policies but in their faithful and effective implementation".