04/02/2025
Persons with disability’s (specially abled persons as now called) Rights are now protected under The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, which in turn replaces The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
Facts of the case
Bank officer’s (Mr. A.K.Nair) case was carried up to the Supreme Court. The said officer was a disabled person and was seeking promotion to the post of Assistant Manager. He secured 92 marks in the department's promotional examination whereas the marks required for promotion was 95. It was the contention of Mr Nair that the Government of India as per its circular gives 5 grace marks to SC/ST candidates and he is also entitled to the same number of grace marks, being a person with disability.
Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the matter titled ‘Reserve Bank of India & Ors vs A.K. Nair & Ors (2023 10 S.C.R 775) came to the following conclusion:-
We did not hear any serious argument from Mr. Gupta or Ms. Divan, and rightly so, that persons with disabilities are not entitled to be judged by the same relaxed standards that are applied to assess candidature of SC/ST candidates.
Thus by the aforesaid judgement, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has concluded that the persons with disability will be entitled to the same benefits and will be judged by the same standards which are applicable to SC / ST candidates.
The Link of the Judgment ishttps://digiscr.sci.gov.in/admin/judgement_file/judgement_pdf/2023/volume%2010/Part%20I/2023_10_775-823_1702979816.pdf