I was given all opportunities to improve myself: Thanya Nathan C, Kerala's first blind woman judge

Thanya Nathan C is a blind 2024 graduate of Kannur University. She ranked first in the merit list of persons with benchmark disabilities in the Civil Judges (Junior Division), Kerala Judicial Service, 2025.

While awaiting her appointment letter, Thanya spoke with Bar & Bench's Hiranya Bhandarkar and recounted her law school days, her stint as an advocate, how she benefited from an inclusive approach and more.

Edited excerpts follow.

Hiranya Bhandarkar (HB): When did you start preparing for the judiciary exam?

Thanya Nathan C (TNC): To be exact, I started preparing after enrolling as an advocate, so since August 2024. I am practising as an advocate, so simultaneously I started studying for the exam. I never stopped practising, so I did both together.

HB: How did the 3-year practice rule impact your preparation? Did it put you into more pressure?

TNC: No. Of course, it causes a sort of uncertainty - whether I'll be able to appear for the exam or not. For me, actually it didn’t put any pressure because even bigger uncertainties were there, being visually impaired. Whether I will be able to give the exam or not, whether I'll be permitted to give the exam or not were the biggest doubts which came to my mind. So this 3-year rule didn't have any impact on me.

When the notification came, I applied for the exam. To my luck, the Supreme Court was pleased to hold that visually impaired persons should never be discriminated against in judicial service exams. So that ruling really paved the way for my appearance in the exam.

HB: You were practising in the district court for a year. How much did that practice contribute to your preparation for the exam?

TNC: It has contributed a lot, because it's all about the practical application of law. You can study, you can read a lot of things, a lot of bare acts, but after all, in courtrooms, we'll have to apply the same. So, you should be ultimately aware of the courtroom procedure. Only courtroom procedure and awareness will make you act as a good judge, so I would say only a good advocate will be able to become a good judge. I was always leaning toward practice, because I had doubts whether or not I'll clear the exam.

HB: How accessible was the judicial services examination for you? What were the accommodations that you were provided with?

TNC: The recruiting authorities were really helpful. They appointed a scribe who read the question to me and I dictated the answer. It was a really comfortable atmosphere that they provided during the exam.

HB: If you had to introduce a few structural changes to legal education in order to make it accessible for students with disabilities, what would you introduce?

TNC: The main challenge is regarding the study materials. For visually-abled students, they can read whatever they want. They can go through thousands of pages, but we (visually-impaired) are not that privileged. We don't have that many study materials. What we have to rely upon is the online materials, which are very few. When I was studying, the study materials, digital materials were only evolving, but now it's far better. I was more comfortable in reading Braille script on my own. Getting Braille books is like beyond dreams, it is impossible, but if the students are able to get a Braille script book, it would be much more helpful for those who are able to read and write in Braille. It gives you a confident feeling, reading on your own.

I was very fortunate that I was accommodated within the classroom. I was given all opportunities to improve myself.

HB: Would you suggest any policy or institutional changes to the judicial recruitment process?

TNC: If I talk about my experience, it was very much fair and clear. There is nothing we can say. It is perfect according to me.

HB: Do you think Indian courts engage with disability rights as lived realities and go beyond statutory interpretations, or is there room for improvement?  Is there anything else that you feel should be implemented to aid lawyers with disabilities?

TNC: Nowadays, I have seen much more improvements because the Supreme Court has recently directed that the computer system should be provided for those who give exams on the computer. So a lot of great directions can be seen which will improve the life of persons with disabilities.

In all spheres of life, accessibility should be there. I am not only talking about the visual impaired, but all kinds of disabilities. Very few courtrooms are able to accommodate wheelchair facilities, because they have stairs.

This can impact not only the advocates, but the litigants and whoever the person with disability is. The infrastructure changes must be improved. The mindset of the society should also be widened. Their mindset should be able to accept inclusivity. We can make the infrastructure, but unless and until the people adopt a broader approach, it will not work.

HB: Do you think technology can make courtrooms more accessible?

TNC: Technology is the only thing that can enhance the workability of the judiciary because if I talk about Kerala, we are turning into a complete paperless court - from the trial court system itself. The judges are already taking evidence to the software system, they do voice typing. So it's being implemented in all spheres. What is the effect of a paperless judiciary? For an advocate, we will always have to depend upon some other person, some assistance, to read the orders in the file. If it's available in digital form, then probably we will be less dependent on others.

HB: Any advice you would like to give law students or young lawyers with disabilities who want to enter judicial services?

TNC:  I would always tell them to never be afraid to come to the judiciary. If we take the chances, we are ready to work hard, if we are ready and able to keep things in a very consistent manner, then of course it will come to you and it is not an impossible job.