Yash Dodani & Ors. Vs Union of India & Ors. (Supreme Court of India)
In the case of Yash Dodani & Ors. Vs Union of India & Ors., the Supreme Court of India addressed the issue of providing equal opportunities for visually challenged candidates appearing for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). The petitioners requested that visually impaired students be allowed to take the AIBE exam on a computer, rather than using a scribe. The Bar Council of India (BCI), in response, expressed willingness to accommodate the option of a scribe but also recognized the need for facilitating computer-based responses for candidates who preferred this method. The Supreme Court, after reviewing the issue, directed the BCI to make all necessary arrangements for visually impaired candidates to answer the exam questions on a computer if they so wished, while also allowing them the choice of using a scribe.
The Court further specified that any scribe chosen by a candidate should not have a background in humanities or law and must have an educational qualification one step below that of the candidate, in line with the Government of India’s guidelines. The ruling ensures that visually challenged candidates have a fair and accessible opportunity to take the AIBE exam in a manner that best suits their needs. The matter will be heard again on 22.01.2025 for further proceedings. This decision underscores the importance of inclusivity in examinations and provides clarity on how the BCI must comply with the Court’s directives to facilitate a fair exam process for visually impaired candidates.
