New Delhi: The Supreme Court was notified by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday that it had made the decision to allow visually challenged candidates to utilise screen reader software in a number of its exams.
In a separate affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, the UPSC stated that it will administer its tests to candidates who are blind or visually impaired by providing screen-reading software as soon as it is feasible and available to conduct its exams in a secure manner at multiple locations.
The affidavit was submitted in response to a plea that argued that those with blindness or impaired vision were not given enough opportunities to take the UPSC’s civil services exam.
According to the affidavit submitted by the UPSC examination branch’s joint secretary, the commission has approved in principle to allow visually impaired candidates to take its exams using screen reader software.
A panel consisting of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard the case today. ‘Mission Accessibility’, an NGO, filed a plea through counsel Sanchita Ain, which the bench was considering.
The attorney representing the petitioner apprised the bench of the UPSC’s affidavit. It was argued before the bench that it ought to give an order to complete this activity within a set amount of time so that the facility can be made available prior to the commencement of the subsequent exam cycle. According to the petitioner’s attorney, consultation should be held on matters such as question paper accessibility.
“They have the option to consult or not. The bench stated, “They are aware of how to prepare their question papers and how to present them to screen readers.” The bench reserved its decision in the case after considering submissions.
The UPSC’s attorney was also questioned by the top court over the estimated time required. According to the UPSC’s attorney, it is probably going to be addressed in the upcoming cycle.
