SC recognizes Right to Digital Access under Article 21

In a landmark judgment aimed at ensuring digital inclusion for the marginalised, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Central Government and financial regulatory bodies to revise digital Know Your Customer (e-KYC) norms to make them accessible for persons with facial disfigurement due to acid attacks and individuals with visual impairments.

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A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan emphasized the constitutional obligation of the State to create a universally accessible digital ecosystem, especially given that welfare schemes, banking, education, and governance services are increasingly delivered through online platforms.

The Court traced this obligation to Article 21 of the Constitution, interpreting the right to life to include access to digital infrastructure.