In a landmark move towards examination accessibility, the UPSC has informed the Supreme Court of India that it will introduce screen-reader software for visually impaired candidates across its civil-services and other exams once the required infrastructure and software-testing are in place.
The Commission revealed that it lacks its own nationwide infrastructure and will depend on state/district authorities and specialised centres - such as the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun - for implementation. Advocates for the visually-impaired have asserted that existing arrangements restrict fair access and cause undue hardship. The Court has pressed UPSC on how long the rollout will take and whether all centres will be equipped rather than just select hubs.

While no formal timeline has been fixed, the Commission emphasises that the facility will be available “as soon as feasible.” The initiative is being widely seen as a step forward for inclusive education and equal opportunity in one of India’s most competitive exam systems.