In a landmark judgment aimed at ensuring inclusivity in the financial sector, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and all regulated entities to make the Digital KYC and e-KYC processes fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
The apex court, in its order dated April 30, 2025, in the cases of Pragya Prasun & Ors. vs Union of India and Amar Jain vs Union of India & Ors., emphasized the need for barrier-free digital banking services. Following the directive, the RBI issued a notification (RBI/2025-26/74 dated August 14, 2025), mandating banks and financial institutions to comply.
Key directives include appointment of nodal officers for digital accessibility, mandatory accessibility audits, alternative modes of “liveness” verification beyond eye blinking, and acceptance of thumb impressions for Digital KYC.
The court has also mandated options for sign language interpretation, closed captions, Braille, voice-enabled services, and adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 for all banking and government digital platforms.
Additionally, the RBI and other authorities have been asked to establish grievance redressal mechanisms, human review of rejected KYC applications, dedicated helplines, and training modules to sensitize officials. The court also directed periodic public campaigns to raise awareness on accessible Digital KYC options.
The ruling is being seen as a major step towards inclusive digital governance and financial empowerment of persons with disabilities.
