SC Rules in Favor of Visually Impaired, Grants Equal Opportunity in Judiciary

New Delhi : In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court today ruled that visually impaired individuals cannot be denied the opportunity to serve in judicial services. The verdict, delivered by a bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, reinforces the principle of inclusivity and non-discrimination in public employment.

The bench had reserved its judgment on six petitions challenging provisions that barred visually impaired and low-vision candidates from being appointed to judicial posts. Pronouncing the verdict, Justice Mahadevan emphasized that persons with disabilities must not face discrimination when seeking employment in the judiciary. He further asserted that the State has a constitutional duty to provide affirmative action to ensure a fair and inclusive recruitment process.

The court struck down a provision in the Madhya Pradesh Judicial Services (Recruitment and Conditions of Services) Rules, 1994, which explicitly prevented visually impaired and low-vision candidates from entering the judicial service in the state. The Supreme Court held that such exclusion violated the principles of substantive equality and ran contrary to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates equal opportunities and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.

The judgment is expected to set a precedent for other states that still impose restrictive rules against persons with disabilities in judicial recruitment. The court observed that technological advancements and assistive tools can enable visually impaired individuals to perform judicial functions effectively. It further emphasized that a candidate’s capability should be assessed based on their legal acumen and merit, rather than their physical disability.

Disability rights activists and legal experts have hailed the Supreme Court’s decision as a major victory for inclusivity in the judiciary. They argue that denying judicial opportunities based on disability contradicts India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory.

The ruling is also likely to influence broader debates on disability rights in India, prompting reforms in employment policies across various public service sectors. With this decision, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that equal opportunity is a fundamental right and that structural barriers must not prevent talented individuals from contributing to the judiciary.

This verdict will now require Madhya Pradesh and other states to revise their judicial recruitment rules to accommodate visually impaired candidates.