New Delhi: In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court permits visually impaired candidates to engage scribes with more than 10+2 qualification for major law exams like the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT).
The top court held that scribes with higher qualifications will help ensure fairness and accessibility without giving any unfair advantage.
Background of the Case
For years, exam authorities restricted scribes for visually impaired aspirants to those with only 10+2 (higher secondary) qualifications. Critics pointed out that this limitation made it difficult for many visually impaired candidates to find capable scribes, especially in competitive exams where understanding complex questions, legal terminology, and faster reading/writing skills are essential.
The existing rules came under legal challenge in the Supreme Court by visually impaired law students who argued that:
- The limit of 10+2 qualification was unreasonable and discriminatory.
- It hindered fair participation in competitive exams like CLAT and AIBE.
These exams are crucial:
- CLAT determines admission into national law universities.
- AIBE is mandatory to practice law in India.
Scribe for AIBE and CLAT Exam: Key Directives of Supreme Court
On 10 February 2026, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice N.V. Anjaria delivered a landmark ruling. The key directions included:
1. Qualification Bar Lifted
Visually impaired candidates are now permitted to appoint scribes with qualifications higher than 10+2. This includes undergraduate students or graduates — subject to one important condition.
2. Restriction on Law & Humanities Educated Scribes
Such scribes should not be law graduates or pursuing law/humanities courses. This is to ensure the scribe only assists with writing and comprehension, but does not influence answers or provide academic advantage.
3. Authorities Must Update Rules
The Supreme Court directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the Consortium of National Law Universities to revise their existing guidelines and officially notify the change before the next exam cycle. The court also asked for a compliance affidavit within two weeks.
Scribe for AIBE and CLAT Exam: Importance of the Ruling
Earlier, the 10+2 cap often forced visually impaired candidates to work with scribes who were not fully equipped to handle complex question papers, especially in legal exams that require understanding sophisticated language and logic. The new ruling removes this handicap.
Aligning With Disability Rights Norms
The judgment supports reasonable accommodation — a key principle of disability rights — which means modifying systems and rules to level the playing field rather than making disabled candidates compete with unnecessary barriers.
Promoting Education & Career Growth
By allowing highly qualified scribes, visually impaired candidates get better support, improving their chances to perform well in exams that determine their legal education and career path.
What Experts and Advocates Say
Legal commentators have welcomed this decision, calling it progressive, inclusive, and in line with constitutional equality principles. They note that mere equality of treatment is not enough; true equality means making space for people with disabilities to compete fairly.
In many similar discussions, advocates have emphasized that:
- A scribe with stronger academic skills can reduce errors that occur due to misunderstanding or slow writing.
- Excluding higher-qualified scribes often resulted in more stress for candidates and distorted exam performance.
Such changes are considered essential in competitive exams that decide admission and career paths for thousands of law aspirants each year.
Next Steps & Implementation
Following the ruling:
- The Bar Council of India and Consortium of National Law Universities will formally revise and notify the new rules.
- Exam authorities are expected to issue clear instructions to ensure visually impaired candidates are aware of the updated facilities in advance of upcoming exam schedules.
- Compliance by all concerned exam bodies will ensure the directive is fully implemented in the spirit of the decision.
