The Supreme Court extends CLAT accessibility nationwide, allowing visually challenged candidates to give answers on computers. New guidelines ensure equal opportunity and inclusive exam participation across India.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has directed that visually challenged candidates appearing in future editions of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) must be provided assistive facilities such as screen readers, customised devices, and the option of a scribe.
The order was passed by a Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The Court made it clear that the interim directions earlier issued in December 2024 for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) would now apply equally to CLAT.
Directions of the Supreme Court
- Facilities such as JAWS and NVDA screen readers, customised keyboards and mouse, and prior software installation must be provided to visually impaired candidates.
- Candidates should have the choice of either typing answers on a computer or using a scribe.
- The option of a scribe must always remain available, but the scribe should not belong to a law or humanities background and must have a qualification one level below the candidate, in line with Government of India guidelines (2018).
- All facilities are to be provided at the cost of the Bar Council of India and the CLAT Consortium.
The Court stressed that the objective of these directions is to ensure that visually impaired candidates can meaningfully participate in professional entrance and qualifying examinations without discrimination. It noted that the same safeguards that applied to the AIBE must also extend to law entrance examinations like CLAT.
On December 5, 2024, the Court had first directed the Bar Council of India to provide comprehensive facilities for visually impaired candidates in AIBE. These directions were later expanded on December 11, 2024, clarifying that visually impaired candidates must always have the option to answer on a computer.
Fresh Guidelines and Compliance
During the latest hearing, Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave informed the Bench that fresh guidelines were issued on August 1, 2025, pursuant to the Court’s earlier orders. The Court directed that these guidelines must be strictly implemented by both the Bar Council of India and the CLAT Consortium.
Background of the Case
The petition was filed by a group of visually impaired law students seeking equal access to national-level law examinations, including both the AIBE and CLAT. The case represents a crucial stride in making the legal profession more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities.
The Supreme Court has listed the matter for further hearing on November 13, 2025. Until then, the interim directions will continue to safeguard the rights of visually impaired candidates.
Case Title:
Yash Dodani & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors.
W.P. (C) No. 785/2024
READ ORDER HERE
Click Here to Read Our Reports on CJI BR Gavai
Click Here to Read Our Reports on Law Exams
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
