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

The UPSC said in an additional affidavit that once proper infrastructure, software availability, and secure testing mechanisms are ensured at examination centres, visually impaired candidates will be allowed to use screen reader software.

The affidavit, filed by the joint secretary of the commission's examination branch, was submitted in response to a plea alleging lack of equal opportunity for candidates with blindness or low vision in the civil services examination.

“The commission has exhaustively reviewed the matter and decided in principle to introduce screen reader software for visually impaired candidates. However, the proper infrastructure is not yet available,” the affidavit said.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, hearing the petition filed by 'Mission Accessibility' through advocate Sanchita Ain, reserved its order. The petitioner's counsel urged that the UPSC be directed to implement the facility in a time-bound manner before the next examination cycle.

The UPSC told the court that it relies on state and district authorities for examination infrastructure. It has written to state chief secretaries and district collectors to ensure the availability of computers with screen reader software and has discussed logistics through video conferences held in July.

The UPSC also sought assistance from the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disability (NIEPVD) and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) to use their computer labs as dedicated exam centres.

The DEPwD informed that it is willing to upgrade its centres for this purpose, while the UPSC remains responsible for software sanitation, secure testing, and question paper accessibility, the affidavit said.