Supreme Court: PwBD Scoring Above General Cut-Off Must be Adjusted Against Unreserved Vacancies

The Supreme Court has directed the Union & State governments to strictly implement the "upward movement" policy for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).

The Bench clarified that candidates who qualify on their own merit, without availing relaxed standards, should be adjusted against unreserved vacancies rather than the reserved quota. This ensures that the horizontal reservation for PwBD does not limit the opportunities of meritorious disabled candidates.

The Court further noted that using a scribe or compensatory time does not count as a "relaxed standard."

Additionally, the Court tasked National Law University, Delhi, with overseeing the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

[Justice Sunanda Bhandare Foundation v. U.O.I. & Ors.]