UPSC: UPSC will introduce screen reader software for visually impaired candidates, informed the Supreme Court..

UPSC: The Supreme Court was informed on Friday that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has decided in principle to introduce the use of screen reader software for visually impaired candidates in its examinations.

The UPSC stated that as soon as the necessary technical infrastructure, software, and testing facilities are available to conduct the examination safely at examination centers across the country, it will conduct the examination using screen-reading software for visually impaired candidates.

The Commission informed the Supreme Court.
The Commission provided this information in an additional affidavit filed in the Supreme Court in response to a petition alleging that blind or low vision candidates are not receiving a fair opportunity in the Civil Services Examination.

The Commission stated in its affidavit, "The Commission has reviewed the entire matter in detail and has decided in principle to introduce screen reader software for visually impaired candidates. However, the necessary infrastructure is not available at this time."

The matter came up for hearing before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta. The petition was filed by an organization called "Mission Accessibility," represented by advocate Sanchit Ain.

Demand for the availability of the facility before the next examination session
The petitioner stated that the UPSC should be directed to implement this system promptly so that it is available before the next examination session. They stated that consultations are also necessary on issues such as accessibility of question papers, charts and diagrams, and appropriate software for question papers in regional languages.

To this, the bench said, "It is up to the UPSC to consult or not. They know how their question papers are prepared and how they can make them available for screen readers." The court said that the UPSC could adopt this consultation process if it wished. The court then reserved its order.

The Supreme Court also asked the UPSC how long it would take to implement this. The UPSC lawyer stated that this is planned to be implemented in next year's examination cycle. The bench also noted that if this facility is limited to only a few centers, visually impaired candidates will have to travel to other cities, which would be unfair.

UPSC Does Not Have Its Own Examination Structure
In its affidavit, the UPSC stated that it does not have its own examination structure and is completely dependent on the cooperation of state governments, district administrations, schools, and colleges. Therefore, on July 7, the Commission wrote to coordinating officers (such as District Collectors, District Magistrates, Divisional Commissioners, etc.) directing them to make this facility available as soon as possible.

The Commission also sent letters to the Chief Secretaries of all states to ensure necessary action by the district administrations. Between July 22 and 25, senior UPSC officials held a video conference with coordinating officers involved in the conduct of the examination. These meetings discussed issues such as the availability of screen reader software on computers/laptops, the number of visually impaired candidates at each center, the purchase of software, secure transmission of digital question papers, and ensuring the necessary facilities at at least one center in each city.

The UPSC has also written to the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), Dehradun, requesting the use of computer labs at their and their regional centers for the examination of candidates who wish to use screen reader software.

On July 28, a meeting was held between senior officials of the UPSC and NIEPVD, where the use of screen reader software and methods for handling objective and descriptive question papers were discussed.

The Commission has also written to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), New Delhi, asking them to consider the possibility of using the laboratories of the NIEPVD and its nine regional centers.

The DEPwD responded by stating that it is willing to develop these centers as dedicated centers for the examination of visually impaired candidates, but that aspects such as software, examination conduct protocols, accessible format of question papers, and security of the software will remain the responsibility of the UPSC.

The UPSC stated that it is actively considering the suggestions made by the DEPwD. The affidavit also stated that no amendment to the Civil Services Examination Rules, 2025 is required to allow the use of screen reader software for visually impaired candidates.

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