Discover the inspiring yet challenging journey of Kartik Kansal, a wheelchair-bound scientist who cracked the UPSC Civil Services Exam four times but was denied service. Learn about his advocacy for disability rights and the ongoing legal battle for justice.
Kartik Kansal, a scientist in ISRO, has managed to fight against the odds and clear UPSC’s Civil Services Examination (CSE) four times. But these feats did not stop him from getting his rightful due to service. Kartik, who became wheelchair-bound at the tender age of 14 due to muscular dystrophy, has been denied service despite all his triumphs. His story underscores the systemic challenges that people with disabilities face in India, particularly within the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
A Brilliant Mind and Tenacious Spirit
Kartik Kansal is an IIT Roorkee alumnus, having done his B.Tech in mechanical engineering; he never let his physical limitations specify what he could do. Muscular dystrophy, he said, has also brought some big challenges head-on to him. He shows an indomitable spirit to become an inspiration not only in academics but also through impressive ranks in one of India’s toughest competitive examinations. Ending the chart of ranks, Kartik ranked 813 in 2019, 271 in 2021, 784 in 2022, and 829 in 2023 in the UPSC CSE. However, despite all these consistent performances, he has not been allocated a service, seriously questioning the inclusivity and fairness of the selection process.
Disparities in the Selection Process
In 2021, Kartik’s rank of 271 placed him at the top of the list of candidates with locomotor disabilities like cerebral palsy, leprosy-cured dwarfism, acid attack survivors, and muscular dystrophy. Though the candidate was too high on the merit list to get an insurable service, he secured a rank where he could be considered eligible for services like the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Excise) and Revenue Service (Income Tax). Yet, no service was allotted to Kartik. Candidates at ranks 272 and 273 were allotted IAS, a service for which muscular dystrophy was not eligible under the existing functional classification criteria.
It has thrown up a huge loophole in the system, whereby the functional classification and physical requirements for various services are inconsistent. Kartik’s case brought out the criteria of physical requirements, which can differ significantly from service to service, even for roles of a similar nature. Retired IAS officer Sanjeev Gupta, who has taken up the cause of Kartik, questions, “If cerebral palsy is allowed for IAS, why not muscular dystrophy?”
Medical Board Certification and the Bureaucratic Hurdles
Where his disability certificate, from the very beginning, mentioned a 60% disability, the medical board in AIIMS subsequently certified him for 90% muscular dystrophy. Noting that his physical limitations were considerable, it still asserted his other competencies necessary for services such as the IRS. His ability to write without a scribe and his reading, speaking, and communication skills are the salient reasons proving he is eligible.
The Department of Personnel and Training has, however, cited that Kartik did not meet the physical standards required for the service—a decision that Kartik had to challenge. The response of the central grievance redressal portal, “There were no matching services at your turn as per your rank,” further compounded the bureaucratic challenges he had been facing.
Advocacy and Legal Battle
Kartik’s crusade for justice has now reached the CAT, who he expects will rectify this apparent injustice. Backed by advocates like Sanjeev Gupta, who argue that there needs to be one set of unified criteria across services for disability eligibility, Kartik’s case could set the precedent for equal opportunity in treatment for people with disabilities in India.
“By joining the respectful administrations, I needed to demonstrate that indeed individuals like me can do it. But I cannot comment advance on the issue since it is sub judice,” Kartik specified in an interview with The Times of India.
Hope for Change
Kartik still awaits the judgment from CAT, which might work to accept his capability and continuation of service so that, in the future, no one with a disability is discriminated against at the very threshold of the selection process. His case thus brings to light that these policies must be revisited and reformed to avoid situations where merit and capability might get shrouded by some outdated or inconsistent criteria.
As Kartik Kansal prepares his case for the August hearing of his petition, this story never loses even an inch of its inspiring and thought-provoking message on issues of accessibility, fairness, and the rights of people with disabilities in India. His journey speaks a lot about the human spirit’s ability to rise amidst challenges and the continuing struggle toward equality and justice.
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