The Kerala High Court recently quashed the 2019 order of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which recommended that the Public Service Commission of Kerala (PSC) pay ₹1,000 to each of the 290 differently-abled candidates who appeared for the examination conducted by the PSC.
The PSC challenged the NHRC’s order, which was issued on the basis of an August 2014 newspaper report about problems faced by candidates with musculoskeletal disorders in reaching the second floor of the examination hall where a special recruitment test for physically challenged candidates was held.
Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji accepted the Commission’s contention that the NHRC order was a blanket order, issued without regard to the nature or degree of disability of each candidate. He added that the order was difficult to implement as none of the beneficiaries had been made a party before the NHRC or the Supreme Court.
However, the court said the issue of disability-friendly examination halls required serious consideration. PSC should ensure that there are suitable places for them to conduct examinations for physically challenged candidates. In places where there are no elevators, it is necessary to provide accommodation for such interested parties on the ground floor. Ramps must also be available and the contact number of the concerned officials must be displayed so that the candidates can seek support if needed. This is essential due to the time constraints of the exams, the court said.
Published – 16 Oct 2025 20:39 IST
