Madras HC Orders Permanent Ramps for PwDs in Polling Booths

Madras HC Orders Permanent Ramps for PwDs in Polling Booths

Topic Classification: Judiciary, Social Justice, Elections

News Date: May 16, 2026

Detailed Summary: A bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan ruled that temporary wooden ramps are insufficient. They directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to build permanent concrete ramps in all notified polling booths (mostly schools/public buildings) and make ECI websites accessible as per Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Important Acts: Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

Why Important for TNPSC: Judicial interventions in election reforms and social welfare are high-priority topics.

TNPSC Style MCQs:
1. Which Act mandates the provision of accessible infrastructure for disabled persons in India? (Ans: RPwD Act 2016)
2. The Madras High Court directed the construction of permanent ramps primarily in which buildings? (Ans: Educational institutions and public buildings used as polling booths)
3. Who is the current Chief Justice of the Madras High Court mentioned in the ruling? (Ans: Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari)