NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed changes to the digital Know Your Customer (KYC) process to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities, including individuals with facial disfigurements and visual impairments.
A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said that digital access is an essential element of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The court further directed that all government websites, educational platforms, and financial technology services be made universally accessible to vulnerable and marginalized communities.
"The digital divide—marked by disparities in access to digital infrastructure, skills, and content—continues to reinforce systemic exclusion not only for persons with disabilities but also for large sections of rural populations, senior citizens, economically weaker groups, and linguistic minorities," the bench observed.
The apex court held that constitutional and statutory provisions grant the petitioners a legal right to demand accessible and inclusive digital KYC processes, with appropriate accommodations.
Addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, particularly in rural areas, the bench also noted that as essential services like healthcare are increasingly delivered through digital means, the right to life must be interpreted in light of these technological developments.
It added that bridging the digital divide has become imperative for ensuring access to welfare schemes and government services, and for upholding the dignity and rights of all citizens.
A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said that digital access is an essential element of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The court further directed that all government websites, educational platforms, and financial technology services be made universally accessible to vulnerable and marginalized communities.
"The digital divide—marked by disparities in access to digital infrastructure, skills, and content—continues to reinforce systemic exclusion not only for persons with disabilities but also for large sections of rural populations, senior citizens, economically weaker groups, and linguistic minorities," the bench observed.
The apex court held that constitutional and statutory provisions grant the petitioners a legal right to demand accessible and inclusive digital KYC processes, with appropriate accommodations.
Addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, particularly in rural areas, the bench also noted that as essential services like healthcare are increasingly delivered through digital means, the right to life must be interpreted in light of these technological developments.
It added that bridging the digital divide has become imperative for ensuring access to welfare schemes and government services, and for upholding the dignity and rights of all citizens.
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