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Supreme Court Orders UPSC to Ease Scribe Rules, File Screen‑Reader Rollout Plan

The bench framed the accessibility mandate as a constitutional right with a February 16, 2026 review scheduled.

Overview

  • UPSC must allow eligible candidates to change scribes up to at least seven days before an exam, with decisions issued through reasoned orders within three working days.
  • Within two months, UPSC must submit a comprehensive compliance affidavit detailing timelines, testing, standardisation and validation for screen‑reader deployment, including feasibility from the next exam cycle.
  • The Court directed coordination with DEPwD and NIEPVD to create uniform protocols for screen‑readers and other assistive technologies across centres.
  • DoPT and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment must provide administrative and technical support, with facilitation for coordination with state and local exam authorities.
  • The order notes UPSC’s in‑principle approval for screen‑readers but cites incomplete infrastructure, and it requires measures to ensure accessibility without compromising exam security and fairness.