Supreme Court Permits Visually Impaired Candidates To Engage Scribes With More Than 10+2 Qualification For AIBE, CLAT Exams

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has permitted visually impaired candidates appearing for the AIBE and CLAT examinations to engage scribes possessing qualifications higher than 10+2, provided that such scribes are not law graduates. Endorsing the suggestions put up by the petitioners, the bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and NV Anjaria directed the Bar Council of India and Consortium of National Law Universities to implement the suggestions as early as possible, and notify them formally, well before the next examination is held. “specially-abled candidates having visual impairment, who are appearing for the All India Bar Examination, are entitled to have the assistance of a scribe, who is undergraduate and is not pursuing the study of law or any other humanities course. This would necessarily mean that there is no bar on candidates for using a scribe who is possessing qualifications of more than 10+2 schooling.”, the petitioner's suggestion endorsed by the Court. Until now, the scribe facility was restricted to having a 10+2 qualification, therefore, it was suggested by the petitioners to revisit the earlier policy circular regarding the provision of scribes to candidates for these examinations. Noting that the suggestions made are in line with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, to enable specially-abled candidates to effectively appear for the All India Bar Examination as well as the Common Law Admission Test, the court found “no reason to take a different view than these suggestions given on behalf of the petitioners.” The court directed the Respondents to place a compliance affidavit within two weeks. The matter is listed next on March 20, 2026.HeadnoteRights of Persons with Disabilities – All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) – Provision of Scribes – Eligibility Criteria for Scribes - The Supreme Court directed the Bar Council of India and the Consortium of NLUs to revisit and modify existing policies regarding the provision of scribes for specially-abled candidates - Supreme Court accepted the petitioners' suggestion that specially-abled candidates (specifically those with visual impairment) are entitled to scribe assistance, provided the scribe is an undergraduate not pursuing law or humanities – Noted that there is no bar on using a scribe who possesses qualifications higher than 10+2 schooling - Key Directives: i. Implementation: The Bar Council of India and the Consortium of NLUs must implement and formally notify these modifications well before the next examination cycle; ii. Compliance: A compliance affidavit is required to be filed within two weeks. [Paras 2-4]Cause Title: YASH DODANI & ORS. VERSUS UNION OF INDIA & ORS.Citation : 2026 LiveLaw (SC) 150Click here to download orderAppearance: For Petitioner(s) :Mr. Amar Jain, Adv. Ms. Sanchita Ain, AOR For Respondent(s) :Mrs. Archana Pathak Dave, A.S.G. Mr. Ashok Panigrahi, Adv. Mr. Madhav Sinhal, Adv. Mrs. Swati Ghildiyal, Adv. Ms. Deeksha, Adv. Mr. Pratyush Srivastava, Adv. Mr. Manish, Adv. Dr. N. Visakamurthy, AOR Mr. Akshay Amritanshu, AOR Ms. Anjul Dwivedi, Adv. Mr. Abhay Nair, Adv. Mr. Sarthak Srivastava, Adv. Mr. Mayur Goyal, Adv. Ms. Pritha Srikumar Iyer, AOR Mr. Arun Sri Kumar, Adv. Mr. Shubhansh Thakur, Adv.

Supreme Court Permits Visually Impaired Candidates To Engage Scribes With More Than 10+2 Qualification For AIBE, CLAT Exams

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Yash Mittal

Supreme Court Permits Visually Impaired Candidates To Engage Scribes With More Than 10+2 Qualification For AIBE, CLAT Exams

Yash Mittal

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Yash Mittal

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