Thanya Nathan Becomes Kerala’s First Visually Challenged Judge

Thanya Nathan has made history by becoming the first visually challenged person to clear the Kerala judicial services examination. She secured the top rank among candidates with disabilities in the Civil Judge (Junior Division) examination.

A 100% visually challenged candidate, Thanya graduated with first rank in LLB from Kannur University. Before appearing for the judiciary exams, she practised as a lawyer in Taliparamba, located in Kannur district of Kerala.

Her achievement comes soon after a landmark Supreme Court judgment delivered in March 2025, which clarified that visually impaired candidates are eligible for appointment to judicial services across India. The judgment was delivered by a Bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan.

The Supreme Court emphasised that persons with disabilities must not face discrimination in judicial appointments and directed States to adopt inclusive and supportive frameworks. It clearly held that no candidate can be denied an opportunity in judicial services solely because of a disability.