Supreme Court Demands UPSC Screen-Reader Compliance for Visually Impaired

The Supreme Court has mandated the UPSC to detail its plan for implementing screen-reader software for visually impaired candidates. The court emphasized the need for a compliance affidavit and encouraged standardization and accessibility in exams. The decision follows a plea by Mission Accessibility advocating for differently-abled candidates' rights.

The Supreme Court has granted the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) an additional week to file a compliance affidavit detailing its proposed plan for the use of screen-reader software. This measure aims to facilitate visually impaired candidates during UPSC examinations.

Originally directed by the apex court in December, the requirement called for the inclusion of a provision in examination notifications to allow visually impaired candidates to request a change of scribe up to seven days before exams. The court's directive also emphasized the importance of standardization and validation of the software to ensure accessibility and security.

The decision comes amidst a plea from Mission Accessibility, highlighting the constitutional rights of differently-abled individuals. The case continues on February 23, with the court reiterating that rights for differently-abled are expressions of equality and not mere benevolence.

(With inputs from agencies.)