Defying Barriers, Defining Justice: Thanya Nathan to become Kerala’s first visually impaired Woman Judge
Harvinder Kaur
New Delhi, February 11, 2026: In a landmark moment for India’s judiciary, Kerala is set to appoint its first visually impaired woman judge, Thanya Nathan C — a young advocate whose determination, discipline and quiet resilience are reshaping conversations around inclusion in the legal system.
A 2024 law graduate from Kannur University, Thanya secured the top rank among candidates with benchmark disabilities in the Civil Judges (Junior Division) Examination, Kerala Judicial Service, 2025. Her achievement is particularly significant as she prepared for the highly competitive examination through self-study while continuing her active practice in district courts.
“I started preparing after enrolling as an advocate in August 2024. I never stopped practising. I studied and practised simultaneously,” Thanya said while awaiting her appointment letter.
For many aspirants, eligibility rules and competitive pressure can be daunting. For Thanya, however, the greater uncertainty was whether she would be permitted to sit for the examination as a visually impaired candidate. A Supreme Court ruling affirming that persons with visual impairments cannot be discriminated against in judicial service examinations paved the way for her participation, reinforcing the principle of equal opportunity.
Balancing courtroom responsibilities with exam preparation, she believes practical exposure strengthened her judicial perspective. “Only a good advocate can become a good judge,” she said, emphasising the importance of understanding courtroom procedures beyond theoretical study.
During the examination, authorities provided a scribe who read out the questions while she dictated her answers. While she described the process as supportive, she has consistently highlighted the broader challenges faced by visually impaired students — particularly limited access to study materials. Unlike sighted aspirants who can consult extensive physical resources, many visually impaired candidates depend heavily on digital formats, with Braille materials remaining scarce.
“Reading on your own gives confidence,” she noted, underscoring the need for more accessible academic resources.
Beyond education, she also drew attention to infrastructural gaps in court complexes, where accessibility features such as wheelchair access remain limited. Such barriers affect not only legal professionals but also litigants with disabilities.
With Kerala gradually adopting a paperless judicial system, Thanya views technology as a significant equaliser. Digital access to court records and voice-enabled systems, she believes, can enhance independence for lawyers and judges with visual impairments.
Thanya Nathan’s journey is more than a personal milestone. It reflects the evolving face of India’s judiciary — one that moves closer to the constitutional promise of equality and inclusion.
As she prepares to take her place on the bench, her message to aspiring candidates remains simple yet powerful: never believe you are incapable.