MBBS: NMC's new PwD guidelines prioritise functional ability over disability percentage, Check details

Consequently, in compliance with the top court bench's directions in the case of Om Rathod vs. Union of India and related rulings, NMC established an expert committee to reassess the 2019 Disability Guodelines, which the Medical Council of India originally issued on 13 May, 2019. 

The objective of the committee was to ensure that the 2-10 Guidelines aligned with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the notification of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment dated 12 March 2024 concerning updated disability assessment standards, the Commission mentioned in a notice dated 19.07.2025.

Also Read: NEET: Merely Because NMC is revising Disability Guidelines, Fate of MBBS Aspirant Cannot hang in Limbo- Supreme Court

"After thorough consultations, the Interim Guidelines outlining the assessment method for admitting PwBD candidates to the MBBS course have been framed and are made implementable for the admissions in academic year 2025-26," the UG Board of NMC mentioned in the notice. 

Referring to the Disability Assessment Boards, the Commission clarified, "The Designated Medical Boards are responsible for verifying candidate's self-certified affidavits and evaluating their functional abilities. Detailed assessment procedures for these boards are set forth in the Interim Guidelines."

Accordingly, NMC advised the candidates applying under the PwBD category to visit the Intra MCC portal for detailed instructions.

Interim Guidelines on Assessment Method for Granting Admission in MBBS Course to PwBD Candidates for AY 2025-2026: 

In the preamble to these guidelines, NMC reiterated its commitment to ensure fair access to medical courses for all eligible candidates, including Persons with Disabilities (PwD). In alignment with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, NMC's interim report outlined the foundational framework and preparatory measures for facilitating the admission of PwBD candidates in the MBBS course.

"This report serves as a step towards strengthening existing mechanisms, identifying challenges, and proposing recommendations for creating an enabling environment that upholds the principles of dignity, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity. It focuses on key aspects such as assessment of disability, eligibility criteria, reasonable accommodations, accessibility standards, and institutional readiness. a The NMC acknowledges the valuable contribution of a diverse medical workforce and envisions system where every aspiring student, irrespective of physical or cognitive ability, is empowered to pursue a career in medicine and serve society with competence and compassion," the Commission mentioned.

Referring to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and Supreme Court's directives, NMC added, "In alignment with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and subsequent notifications, particularly the directive issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) on 12.03.2024, which underscores the principles of inclusive education and reasonable accommodation, and the landmark judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 25.10.2024 in Om Rathod vs Union of India & Others (SLP (C) No. 21942 of 2024), a significant shift has been initiated in the national approach toward disability inclusion in higher education."

"These legal and policy developments collectively emphasize the prioritization of functional competency over rigid percentage-based disability thresholds. In response, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has undertaken proactive measures to ease challenges faced by PwBD candidates, ensuring a fair and inclusive medical education environment. This includes facilitating reasonable accommodations, revisiting eligibility norms, and adopting evaluation criteria focused on individual capabilities," it further mentioned.

Deliberations and Guideline Development:

The Commission informed that extensive deliberations were held in various meetings of the Commission, engaging a committee of medical experts and consequently a consensus emerged to develop a comprehensive guideline focused on functional ability and reasonable accommodation to enable the fair inclusion of PwBD candidates in the MBBS programme, without subjecting them to undue hardship or exclusion.

NMC undertook this initiative to reinforce the existing systems, identify practical challenges and formulate evidence-based recommendations to build an enabling environment grounded in the principles of dignity, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity that would focus on critical areas including disability assessment, eligibility criteria, and provision of reasonable accommodations, accessibility standards, and institutional preparedness.

Interim Admission Approach for AY 2025-2026: 

Clarifying that defining essential competencies for each type of disability involves a very complex process, which is multi-dimensional and dynamic, the Commission pointed out how assistive devices and medical technologies are also rapidly advancing and evolving.

Striking a balance between inclusion and the imperatives of patient safety and clinical competence in medical education and practice is of paramount importance, NMC added.

It also clarified that Postgraduate medical courses shall require specialty-specific deliberations and therefore highlighted the need for additional consultations with medical experts/beneficiaries/stakeholders.

The Commission clarified that the final guidelines shall be notified and get implemented from subsequent academic years after following all procedural aspects and further consultations.

However, highlighting that the admission process for PwBD candidates for AY 2025-2026 must continue uninterrupted, the Commission referred to the interim guidelines for admissions in AY 2025-2026, which were constituted by a group of medical experts under the committee duly constituted by NMC (under the chairmanship of Dr. Achal Gulati).

(1) Functional Assessment of Disabilities: 

In the interim guidelines, NMC clarified that the previously mandated arithmetic threshold shall no longer apply and emphasis will instead be placed on assessing a candidate's functional ability to meet the academic and clinical demands of the MBBS course.

(2) Mandatory Use of UDID Portal: 

The Commission added that as per Gazette Notification dated 05.05.2021, issued by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), all disability certificates and UDID cards must be issued via the UDID online portal, effective June 1, 2021.

"Accordingly, the UDID card has been established as a mandatory document for persons with disabilities. In this context, it may be regarded as an essential and authoritative proof for evaluating the eligibility of meritorious NEET UG candidates under the disability category," the Commission mentioned.

(3) Evaluation Framework Based on MoSJE Guidelines: 

Considering the paramount importance of patient safety and clinical competence, these guidelines suggested that the assessment of candidates with disabilities may be conducted in accordance with the recently notified guidelines dated 12.03.2024 issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).

"These guidelines provide a structured and uniform framework to ensure that the evaluation of disability is both comprehensive and consistent with the responsibilities inherent to medical practice," mentioned the Commission.

(4) Institutional Responsibilities under the RPwD Act: 

The guidelines mentioned that the medical colleges as per the recommendations prescribed under the RPwD Act, 2016, shall make maximum efforts in accommodating and facilitating the candidates with disabilities:

Decision of Expert Committee: 

The expert panel unanimously agreed on the following for MBBS admissions under the PwBD category for AY 2025–26:

PwBD candidates must submit: A valid UDID card issued by a designated medical authority under MoSJE. Self-Certified affidavits in the format provided under Schedule -I. The candidate will have to approach the designated medical board for verification of their self-certified affidavit.

Designated Medical Boards (16 designated medical boards) are required to undertake following duties:

√ The competencies mentioned in the appendix under Schedule-I are basic & mandatory. The candidates, to the satisfaction of the designated medical board, may demonstrate the competencies that have been declared by him/her. If the board finds the declared competencies unsubstantiated based on the candidate's performance, it must issue a reasoned decision declaring him/her ineligible to pursue medical course.

√ If the candidate while self-declaring the essential competencies mentions one or more competencies in negative or is not able to demonstrate one or more of the listed essential competencies, the board shall see if he/she is able to compensate such deficits, by other alternative functionalities; and may take a holistic view regarding his capability to pursue MBBS course.

√ The designated medical boards may utilize standardized tests and tools to evaluate the abilities of the candidates, as per their declaration, instead of focusing on the disabilities.

√ All decisions of the designated medical board(s) shall be in the form speaking orders.

"Admissions will be processed by the counseling authority, based on NEET 2025 scores, institutional preferences, and verification of required documents by the concerned designated medical board(s). Medical colleges will provide accommodations accordingly," clarified the guidelines.

These interim guidelines also include the prescribed format for a self-certification form (General), affidavit for declaring the hearing impairment, affidavit for declaring the locomotor disability (Upper limb extremity), affidavit for declaring the locomotor disability (Lower limb extremity), affidavit for declaration by a person with mental illness/SLD/ASD, and the format for an affidavit for declaration by a person with visual disability.

To view the guidelines, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-interim-disability-guidelines-295242.pdf

Also Read: Supreme Court slams NMC, says 'both hands intact' not required for becoming a doctor