Who is Thanya Nathan? The 24-year-old woman set to be Kerala's first visually challenged judge

Stories of inclusion are a shining example of resilience, progress, and a beacon of hope. These examples remind us how determination can change possibilities, especially in places where tradition runs deep.This time, an emerging example in Kerala judiciary has caught everyone's attention. The state is about to witness an age-old shift that challenges old assumptions about who can serve justice.

Who Is Thanya Nathan?

Thanya Nathan C, a 24-year-old lawyer from Kannur district in Kerala, is set to make history as the state's first visually challenged woman judge. According to reports from NDTV, she topped the merit list for candidates with benchmark disabilities in the Kerala High Court's recent Civil Judge (Junior Division) examination.

Joyson Sajan secured the second spot, but Nathan's achievement stands out as a shining example for inclusion in India's judiciary.Blind since birth, Nathan grew up in Mangad, Kerala, attending a special school in Dharmadom up to Class 10, then Parassinikadavu High School and Morazha Government Higher Secondary School.She decided to pursue law during her higher secondary years and went on to top her LLB program at Kannur University as the only visually impaired student there, as reported by PTI.

Thanya Nathan career trajectory

After graduating, she worked as a junior lawyer in Taliparamba for a year, preparing argument notes in Braille and using screen-reading software to manage her practice.Her exam prep was self-driven, depending on Braille notes, with guidance from a lawyer in Thiruvananthapuram for the interview. "I know it will be a challenging career. But technology has advanced to a stage where most judicial work can be handled using assistive tools such as screen readers and dictation software," Nathan told PTI, expressing confidence despite hurdles like inaccessible court infrastructure.She hopes the government will improve accessibility, noting, "Our systems are not fully accessible yet. I hope the government will take appropriate steps so that I can work comfortably," she told PTI.

The standout 2025 Supreme Court judgment which rooted for inclusion

This breakthrough stems from a pivotal 2025 Supreme Court judgment by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, which ruled that visually impaired candidates cannot be barred from judicial services solely due to disability.

"No candidate can be denied such opportunity solely on account of disability," the court stated, directing states to provide affirmative support, as reported by Bar and Bench.Nathan cited this ruling as her inspiration to apply when the exam notification came out.The Kerala High Court has sent her selection list to the state government for the appointment order. Her story has got immense praise and appreciation from legal experts and advocates, who see it as a step toward equality under law. At 24, Nathan's rise from Braille books to the bench is a true embodiment of resilience, paving the way for more inclusive courts in Kerala and beyond.