Headline
The Supreme Court of India ruled that scribe facility is not restricted to benchmark disabilities & Reiterates Vikas Kumar Judgment.
Summary
The Supreme Court of India has stated that candidates with disabilities, even if not fulfilling the criteria of benchmark disability, can scribe for exams. The ruling considered Vikas Kumar v. UPSC (2021), making sure there should be equal evaluation to examinations for all disabled candidates.
Key Facts
- Case Name: Gulshan Kumar vs. Institute of Banking Personnel Selection
- Judges Name: Justice JB Pardiwala & Justice R. Mahadevan
- Issue: The petitioner, suffering from Focal Hand Dystonia (25% disability), was refused a scribe in several exams.
- Supreme Court decision : ordered authorities to uniformly implement directions permitting scribes for all disabled candidates, not just those with benchmark disabilities.
Legal Insights
- The Supreme Court of India reaffirmed Vikas Kumar v. UPSC and Avni Prakash v. NTA, holding that limiting scribes to benchmark disabilities violates the principle of equal opportunity.
- Ordered the government to revise restrictive guidelines within 2 months.
Impact
- Examination authorities must uniformly execute scribe policies.
- For better accessibility for candidates with disabilities.
- Periodic sensitization and making a grievance redressal portal.
Why It Matters
This ruling of the Supreme Court strengthens disability rights by making sure there should be fair access to examination , removing arbitrary restrictions, and enforcing inclusive policies under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
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Read also – SUPREME COURT OVER ‘DISMAL’ IMPLEMENTATION OF RPwD ACT 2016
