Supreme Court Declares Digital Access As A Fundamental Right, Directs KYC Changes For Disabled Persons

The Supreme Court ruled that the denial of accessible KYC procedures violates Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution, recognizing the right to digital access as an intrinsic part of Article 21.

The Court struck down the RBI-mandated “live photo” requirement for KYC, which discriminated against facially disfigured individuals, including those with disabilities or acid attack survivors.

The Court issued 20 binding directions, calling for inclusive and accessible KYC systems in compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

The ruling came in response to two public interest litigations (PILs) focused on the challenges faced by those with disabilities in accessing digital platforms.