For Prelims: Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Completion Certificate, PIL (Public Interest Litigation), Nodal Body, Act Involved, Bench Composition, Current Context
For Mains: Universal design, social inclusion, barrier-free environment, reasonable accommodation
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- The Supreme Court issued notice on a petition about accessibility for disabled persons in residential buildings.
- The Centre has been given four weeks to respond to the Supreme Court notice.
- The petition cites the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
- The bench comprised Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh.
- The petition argues no completion certificate should be given without accessibility compliance.
Why in the news?
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and other parties on a petition seeking enforcement of accessibility standards for persons with disabilities in residential buildings across India. The petition argues that no completion certificate should be granted without compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Summary
- The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response within four weeks on a petition about accessibility for persons with disabilities in residential buildings.
- The petition argues that under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, no establishment can be given a completion certificate without adhering to accessibility standards.
- The court issued notice on a petition highlighting that residential buildings, apartment complexes and group housing projects lack proper accessibility features, preventing disabled persons from using their homes independently.
Highlights
SC Notice on Accessibility
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre and other parties on a petition seeking enforcement of accessibility standards for disabled persons in residential buildings.
Core Issue
Residential buildings, apartments and group housing projects lack proper accessibility features, violating the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Legal Basis
The petition argues that under the 2016 Act, no establishment can receive a completion certificate without complying with accessibility standards.
Background
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, was enacted to give effect to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It mandates accessibility in public and private buildings, transport and services. Despite this, implementation has been poor, especially in residential housing, where builders often ignore accessibility norms.
Key Analysis and Impact
The case directly tests the enforceability of the RPwD Act, 2016. If the court mandates strict compliance for completion certificates, it could force real estate developers to include ramps, wider doorways, accessible toilets and other features. This would significantly improve the quality of life for the estimated 2.68 crore disabled persons in India (Census 2011).
Way Forward
The Centre's response within four weeks will clarify the government's position on enforcement. The court may set a timeline for compliance or direct states to implement accessibility audits. This case could lead to a broader framework for universal access in all new construction projects.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
- An Indian law that replaced the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. It increases the types of disabilities from 7 to 21, mandates accessibility, provides for reservation in education and employment, and establishes special courts for speedy trials.
- Completion Certificate
- A certificate issued by the local municipal authority after a building is constructed as per approved plans and complies with all building by-laws. It is essential for obtaining water, electricity and occupancy.
- PIL (Public Interest Litigation)
- A legal action initiated in a court of law for the enforcement of public interest or general interest in which the public or a class of the community have a pecuniary interest or some interest by which their legal rights or liabilities are affected.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: SC issued notice on accessibility in residential buildings; four weeks given for Centre's response
- Legal Point: Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may swap 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016' with the older 'Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995' or confuse the number of recognised disabilities (21 in 2016 Act vs 7 in 1995 Act).
Write these in mains answers
- Universal design, social inclusion, barrier-free environment, reasonable accommodation
Stuck? Get it in one tap
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court saying that many residential buildings in India do not have ramps, wide doors or other features that disabled people need. The court has asked the central government to reply within four weeks on what it is doing about this. The petition relies on a 2016 law that requires all buildings to be accessible to disabled persons.
- The Supreme Court issued notice on a petition about accessibility for disabled persons in residential buildings.
- The Centre has been given four weeks to respond to the Supreme Court notice.
- The petition cites the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
- The bench comprised Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh.
- The petition argues no completion certificate should be given without accessibility compliance.
- Polity: Judiciary and PIL
- Governance: Social Justice and Disability Rights
Related concepts: Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Completion Certificate, PIL (Public Interest Litigation)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which ministry is primarily responsible for implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016?
Explanation: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal ministry for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The Ministry of Law and Justice handles legal affairs, not implementation. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs deals with building regulations but not disability rights. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare handles health services, not disability rights enforcement.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Supreme Court issued notice on a petition seeking accessibility for disabled persons in residential buildings.
- 2.The petition argues that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 mandates accessibility standards.
- 3.The court gave the Centre four weeks to respond to the notice.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct because the SC issued notice on a petition regarding accessibility in residential buildings. Statement 2 is incorrect because the petition relies on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, not the 1995 Act. Statement 3 is correct because the court gave the Centre four weeks to respond. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
How much time did the Supreme Court give the Centre to respond to the notice?
Explanation: The Supreme Court issued notice and sought a response within four weeks. Two weeks is too short for a government response. Six weeks and eight weeks are longer than the period given by the court.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the petition filed in the Supreme Court regarding residential buildings?
Explanation: The petition seeks enforcement of accessibility standards so that disabled persons can use their homes freely. Reducing construction costs is not the objective. Increasing residential buildings is unrelated. The petition does not seek financial assistance for home purchases.
Frequently asked questions
1. What did the Supreme Court ask the Centre regarding accessibility in residential buildings?
The Supreme Court issued notice on a petition seeking enforcement of accessibility standards for disabled persons in residential buildings and gave the Centre four weeks to respond.
2. Which Act is cited in the petition about accessibility in residential buildings?
The petition cites the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates accessibility standards for all establishments.
3. Who heard the petition on accessibility in residential buildings?
Who heard the petition on accessibility in residential buildings?: The petition was heard by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh of the Supreme Court.
All sources
- Original5 November 2026 · Read story
