Published Feb 10, 2026 | 10:09 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 10, 2026 | 10:09 AM
Thanya C Nathan.
Synopsis: Kerala is set to script a milestone in its judicial history with the impending appointment of Thanya C Nathan as the state’s first visually impaired civil judge. A native of Kannur, the 24-year-old law graduate has emerged first in the merit list under the category of persons with benchmark disabilities in the recently conducted Kerala Judicial Service Examination.
Kerala is set to script a milestone in its judicial history with the impending appointment of Thanya C Nathan as the state’s first visually impaired civil judge.
A native of Kannur, the 24-year-old law graduate has emerged first in the merit list under the category of persons with benchmark disabilities in the recently conducted Kerala Judicial Service Examination for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division). Born with complete vision loss, Thanya’s academic journey reflects exceptional determination.
She studied up to Class 7 at the Dharamshala Model School for the Blind before transitioning to mainstream schooling at Parassinikkadavu High School and Morazha Government Higher Secondary School.
She went on to pursue legal studies at Kannur University, securing first rank in the LLB examination in 2024, notably preparing and studying through Braille. After enrolling as an advocate, she began legal practice as a junior under senior lawyer K.G. Sunilkumar at the Thaliparambu Bar in Kannur.
She continued to rely on Braille for preparing case notes and legal arguments.
During her early years of practice, a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2025 clarified that visually impaired persons are eligible for judicial service, removing long-standing barriers and enabling candidates with visual disabilities to compete for judicial posts.
It was the Supreme Court verdict delivered in 2025 by a Bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan that proved decisive in enabling Nathan’s entry into the judicial services.
The judgement clarified that visual impairment cannot be treated as a ground for declaring a candidate unsuitable for judicial office, affirming the eligibility of visually impaired persons to participate in selections for judicial posts.
The Bench further emphasised that persons with disabilities must not encounter discrimination while aspiring for careers in the judiciary and that the state has a constitutional duty to adopt affirmative measures to build an inclusive system
Inspired by the verdict, Thanya appeared for the judicial service examination and secured top rank among candidates with disabilities, while another candidate with cerebral palsy obtained the second position.
She is currently awaiting her formal appointment order.
Her forthcoming induction has also underscored the need for the Kerala judiciary to address challenges related to accessibility in court infrastructure and judicial processes.
Thanya is the daughter of expatriate Jagannathan and Babita of Mangad, Kannur.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
