Will Consider Alternative Questions In CLAT 2021 For Visually Challenged Candidates: NLU Consortium Responds To Justice Chandrachud's Suggestions

The decision comes in the backdrop of recent remarks made by Dr. Justice DY Chandrachud, that the CLAT examination does not take account of the "unique challenges of the disabled test-takers".

CLAT Places Disabled Test Takers In A Disadvantaged Position,Perpetrates Exclusion Of Some Most Talented Students: Justice Chandrachud

At the Valedictory Session of the 3-day International Summit on Legal Professionals with Disabilities, organized virtually, the Supreme Court Judge spoke of how the test requires the blind candidates to take visual and spacial understanding questions, without any appropriate training or appropriate alternatives.

Responding to this, the President of NLU Consortium, Prof. Faizan Mustafa said,

"The Consortium believes in giving level playing field for all candidates. It would never deny equality of opportunity to anyone. The Consortium expresses its gratitude to Hon'ble Dr. Justice Chandrachud for flagging this issue and the Consortium will certainly consider this matter in its forthcoming Executive Committee meeting as President has requested Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Secretary-Treasurer to include this matter in the agenda items of the Executive Committee."

He thanked Justice Chandrachud for raising this 'pertinent issue' and assured that his suggestions shall be placed before the Executive Committee of the Consortium, so that some decision in this respect can be taken for CLAT-2021.

A statement issued by Prof. Mustafa read:

"We have noted with thanks the observations by Hon'ble Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Judge, Supreme Court of India about the hardship which some of the questions of CLAT may cause to Persons with Disabilities. CLAT has been religiously following Government of India's guidelines in the conduct of examination and giving additional 40 minutes time to the Persons with Disabilities. National Law Universities also have reservation for Persons with Disabilities. But Hon'ble Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud has raised a pertinent issue and the President of the Consortium, Prof. Faizan Mustafa has taken note of it and has decided to place His Lordship's suggestions before the Executive Committee of the Consortium of National Law Universities so that some decision in this respect can be taken for CLAT-2021.

The Consortium may consider the option of giving alternative questions to the Persons with Disabilities particularly visually challenged candidates so that they are not at any disadvantage vis-à-vis other candidates. The Consortium believes in giving level playing field for all candidates. It would never deny equality of opportunity to anyone. The Consortium expresses its gratitude to Hon'ble Dr. Justice Chandrachud for flagging this issue and the Consortium will certainly consider this matter in its forthcoming Executive Committee meeting as President has requested Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Secretary-Treasurer to include this matter in the agenda items of the Executive Committee."