Kerala’s First Visually Challenged Woman Judge Marks Breakthrough in Disability Rights
Supreme Court ruling paved way for inclusion in judiciary
Disabled persons still face barriers in employment despite legal protections
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: February 11, 2026:
In a historic development, Thanya Nathan C., a 24-year-old lawyer from Kannur, is set to become Kerala’s first visually challenged woman judge. Ranked first in the merit list of candidates with benchmark disabilities in the Kerala Judicial Service Examination, she will soon take charge as a Civil Judge (Junior Division).
Her achievement follows a 2025 Supreme Court ruling that declared visually impaired candidates eligible for judicial service, rejecting the notion that disability equates to unsuitability. This landmark decision has opened doors for persons with disabilities in India’s judiciary, but the broader employment landscape still presents significant challenges.
Supreme Court’s Role in Inclusion
The Supreme Court Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan ruled that:
- Visually impaired candidates cannot be excluded from judicial service.
- Affirmative action is necessary to ensure equal opportunity.
- Disability is not incompetence, and modern technology can aid accessibility in courts.
This ruling directly enabled Thanya Nathan’s selection, making her appointment a symbol of resilience and progress in India’s judiciary.
Challenges Faced by Disabled Persons in Employment
Despite legal protections, persons with disabilities continue to face barriers in securing jobs across sectors:
1. Legal Framework
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- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act): Mandates 4% reservation in government jobs for persons with benchmark disabilities.
- Equal Opportunity Policy: Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations.
- Judicial Precedents: Courts have repeatedly emphasized inclusion, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
2. Practical Barriers
- Accessibility Issues: Many workplaces lack ramps, screen readers, or assistive technologies.
- Bias and Stereotypes: Employers often assume disabled persons cannot perform certain tasks.
- Implementation Gaps: Reservation quotas are underutilized, and recruitment processes remain opaque.
3. Judiciary and Legal Profession
- Courtrooms are still adapting to e-court systems, which can improve accessibility.
- Disabled lawyers often rely on screen readers, dictation apps, and digital tools to practice effectively.
Why This Matters
Thanya Nathan’s appointment is more than a personal triumph—it is a milestone in disability rights:
- It challenges stereotypes about competence and capability.
- It highlights the importance of judicial intervention in enforcing equality.
- It sets a precedent for other states to follow in recruiting disabled candidates into judicial services.
Expert Opinions
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- Legal scholars say the ruling will be studied as a landmark in disability law.
- Disability rights activists argue that while inclusion in judiciary is a breakthrough, broader employment reforms are urgently needed.
- Policy analysts note that India must strengthen workplace accessibility and enforce reservation quotas more strictly.
Impact on Society
- Disabled Persons: Gain confidence that legal careers are accessible.
- Judiciary: Benefits from diversity and inclusivity.
- Society: Moves closer to realizing constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity.
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Conclusion
The appointment of Kerala’s first visually challenged woman judge marks a turning point in India’s journey toward inclusivity. While the Supreme Court’s ruling has opened doors in the judiciary, disabled persons across sectors continue to face barriers in employment.
This case serves as a reminder that legal protections must be matched by practical implementation. Accessibility, awareness, and enforcement are key to ensuring that persons with disabilities can fully participate in India’s workforce.
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