MISSION ACCESSIBILITY versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

MISSION ACCESSIBILITY versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

The Court directed that UPSC must (a) permit candidates eligible for a scribe to request change of scribe up to at least seven days prior to the examination and decide such requests by reasoned order within three working days of receipt; (b) file a comprehensive compliance affidavit within two months setting out plan, timeline and modalities for deployment of Screen Reader Software including steps for testing, standardisation and validation and feasibility of making the facility operational from the next examination cycle; (c) coordinate with DEPwD and NIEPVD to formulate uniform guidelines and protocols for use of Screen Reader Software and other assistive technologies; and (d) have DoPT...

Parties
Petitioner: Mission Accessibility; Respondent: Union of India; Respondent: Union Public Service Commission; Respondent: Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
03 December 2025
Procedural Posture
Writ Petition (c) No. 206 of 2025 / Disposed by Judgment (03 December 2025)
Outcome
Writ Petition disposed of with directions to respondents as recorded in the judgment
Legal Topics
Scribe Registration, Examination Accessibility, Assistive Technology (screen Reader), Digital Question Papers, Reasonable Accommodation
Constitutional Law Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016 Administrative Law Scribe Registration Examination Accessibility Assistive Technology (screen Reader) Digital Question Papers Reasonable Accommodation

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Parties

Mission Accessibility

Petitioner

Union of India

Respondent

Union Public Service Commission

Respondent

Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Writ Petition (c) No. 206 of 2025 / Disposed by Judgment (03 December 2025)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the timeline and requirement for furnishing scribe details at time of application in the Civil Services Examination is arbitrary and requires modification
  2. 2 Whether visually impaired candidates should be permitted to use laptops with Screen Reader Software and be provided accessible digital question papers in examinations conducted by UPSC
  3. 3 What remedial directions and implementation modalities are required to operationalise screen reader facilities while maintaining sanctity and security of examinations

Ratio Decidendi

The Court directed that UPSC must (a) permit candidates eligible for a scribe to request change of scribe up to at least seven days prior to the examination and decide such requests by reasoned order within three working days of receipt; (b) file a comprehensive compliance affidavit within two months setting out plan, timeline and modalities for deployment of Screen Reader Software including steps for testing, standardisation and validation and feasibility of making the facility operational from the next examination cycle; (c) coordinate with DEPwD and NIEPVD to formulate uniform guidelines and protocols for use of Screen Reader Software and other assistive technologies; and (d) have DoPT...

Court Disposition

Writ Petition disposed of with directions to respondents as recorded in the judgment

Orders

  • Respondent No.2 (UPSC) to ensure every examination notification permits candidates eligible for a scribe to request a change of scribe up to at least seven days prior to the examination and to consider and dispose of such requests by a reasoned order within three working days of receipt.
  • Respondent No.2 (UPSC) to file a comprehensive compliance affidavit within two months detailing plan of action, timeline and modalities for deployment and use of Screen Reader Software including steps for testing, standardisation and validation and feasibility of making the facility operational from the next...