Supreme Court Directs UPSC To Decide PwD Candidates’ Requests For Scribe Change Within 3 Days

The Court made the observation while dealing with a plea filed under Article 32 of the Constitution by an organisation advocating the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly those with blindness or low vision, seeking better accommodations in the upcoming examination scheduled for May 25, 2025.

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta heard submissions from all sides.

Senior Advocate Rahul Bajaj, appearing for the petitioner, raised concerns about UPSC’s process for allotting scribes and the lack of provision for screen reader-enabled computers for blind and low vision candidates.

On the previous hearing, the Court had asked the UPSC and the Union of India to respond to the petitioner’s concerns.

On May 9, Counsel for the UPSC Advocate Hrishikesh Baruah informed the Court that the Commission had received around 27 requests for change of scribes, which would be evaluated on merit. A press note to this effect was also uploaded by the Commission, allowing such requests until 4 PM on May 18, 2025.

However, Bajaj highlighted gaps in the UPSC's approach, including:

1. Lack of a clear timeline for disposing of requests;

2. Absence of defined grounds for accepting or rejecting scribe change applications;

3. No mention of required supporting documents for such requests.

The Court accepted these concerns and directed that all such applications be processed within three working days, with a reasoned order communicated to the candidates.

On the issue of screen reader access, Baruah stated that the Commission currently lacks the logistical infrastructure to offer such a facility across the board for the 2025 preliminary exam. He argued that enabling this option for only two candidates would not be viable unless extended to all similarly placed candidates. However, he sought time to file a specific affidavit on the feasibility of screen reader use in coordination with the Department for PwDs.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Archana Pathak Dave, appearing for the Union Government, clarified that the Civil Services Examination Rules, 2025 already permit PwD candidates to opt for a scribe—either their own or one provided by the Commission. The rules also do not require amendment to consider screen reader usage.

Taking note of these developments, the Court directed the UPSC to file a detailed affidavit on the screen reader issue and posted the matter for further hearing on May 16, 2025.

"We hereby provide that all the requests for change of scribe submitted by the concerned candidates who are entitled for a scribe in terms of the CSE Rules, 2025 shall be entertained till 18th May, 2025. The Commission shall immediately, upon receipt of such application, consider the same objectively and communicate the decision thereof by a reasoned order to the candidate/s concerned within a period of three working days from the date of receipt of the application/s," the Court said in its order dated May 9.