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Digital Access a Fundamental Right: Supreme Court Verdict

1 May 20251 min read
NATIONAL AFFAIRSDigital Access aFundamentalRight: SupremeCourt Verdict1 May 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

The Supreme Court treated digital access as a constitutional guarantee after complaints that online KYC shuts out disabled and marginalised people.

Key facts

  • Rights covered: equality, life and dignity.
  • Grievance: digital KYC depends on visual input, which persons with disabilities (PwDs) cannot use.
  • Principle: substantive equality, since formal access alone is not enough.
  • Directions: 20, centred on accessible and inclusive KYC.

Barriers noted

  • PwDs: inaccessible websites, non-adaptive apps, little assistive technology.
  • Rural Indians: weak connectivity and scarce local-language content.

Significance

Strengthens the legal basis for accessibility mandates; departments and financial institutions must redesign platforms, which may shape Digital India, fintech and welfare policy.

Exam angle

  • Key term: substantive equality.
  • Number: 20 directions.

Test yourself

1. In the 2025 digital access ruling, the Supreme Court held that digital services access is part of which rights?

The Court tied digital access to the fundamental rights to equality, life and dignity.

2. Which principle did the Supreme Court apply when it said formal access alone is inadequate for digital inclusion?

The Court invoked substantive equality, stressing removal of practical barriers and fair outcomes.

3. The Supreme Court digital access case arose mainly from difficulties in completing which process for persons with disabilities?

Acid attack survivors and a visually challenged petitioner challenged inaccessible digital KYC.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 1 May 2025 (20 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizMay 2025

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