In a notable decision, the Supreme Court of India on Monday granted permission for a visually impaired candidate to be assisted by a scribe during the Common Law Admission Test for Postgraduates (CLAT-PG). The ruling came after a plea was filed by Yash Dodani and other visually impaired law students and graduates, highlighting the challenges faced by disabled candidates in legal examinations.
Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, presiding over the case, stipulated that the scribe provided should not be a graduate of law or any humanities subjects, aiming to maintain the integrity of the examination process. This decision was part of a broader plea that accused the Bar Council of India (BCI) and other authorities of not complying with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, particularly in the conduct of the CLAT and the All India Bar Examination (AIBE).
The petitioners argued that despite repeated attempts to secure necessary accommodations, they faced systemic discrimination and were repeatedly hindered in accessing the supports legally entitled to them. The Court had previously taken cognizance of the issue on November 22, issuing notices to the concerned authorities and extending the deadline for scribe applications in competitive law exams to ensure compliance and fairness in the administration of these tests.
Representing the petitioners, Advocates Rahul Bajaj and Sanchita Ain argued the case, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities in educational and professional testing environments. On the opposite side, Advocate Akshay Amritanshu Modi represented the Bar Council of India, who was also directed to explore the possibility of making the AIBE accessible via computer for specially-abled candidates, reflecting a push towards more inclusive and adaptive testing formats.
