NEET PwD Reservation must be based on Unique Disability ID card, Not Reassessment: Allahabad HC

Although the student held a valid UDID card confirming benchmark disability, a medical committee during counselling reassessed his disability at 31%, thereby disqualifying him from the Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) quota, which requires 40% and above. Challenging this reassessment, the petitioner argued that the UDID card, issued under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, must be treated as final. Justice Pankaj Bhatia agreed, clarifying that while NMC authorities may conduct functional assessments to determine if a candidate can pursue medical studies, they cannot reassess or override the disability percentage already certified in the UDID. Referring to earlier Supreme Court judgments, including Purswani Ashutosh, Om Rathod, and Vishal Gupta, the court ruled that the UDID card carries statutory validity and must prevail for claiming reservation.