Delhi High Court Demands Inclusive Recruitments for Visually Impaired

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court issued a directive for the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to revamp its online recruitment portal, emphasizing the need for increased accessibility and user-friendliness for visually impaired applicants.

This action arose from a plea brought by the National Federation of the Blind, highlighting the significant challenges faced by visually impaired candidates, especially with the mandatory live face recognition process required for application submissions.

The court expressed considerable concern over the absence of accessible options, particularly for significant exams like the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) and Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL), slated for 2025. Describing the situation as discriminatory and infringing on constitutional rights, the court emphasized the urgent need for SSC to address and rectify these barriers.

The court noted that over 60 candidates with visual impairments had voiced their struggles, urging the SSC to adapt its policies promptly to avoid excluding these individuals in future recruitment endeavors. SSC officials were directed to engage directly with petitioners to devise practical, inclusive solutions, with an action plan to be presented at a subsequent hearing on November 12.

Additionally, the court reiterated the obligations set by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, mandating equal access at all employment stages, from application to examination, underscoring the SSC's legal duty to ensure non-discriminatory access in recruitment processes.

(With inputs from agencies.)