FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCY APPROACH
These legal and policy developments collectively emphasise the prioritisation of functional competency over rigid percentage-based disability thresholds. In response, the 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.
INTERIM ADMISSION APPROACH FOR AY 2025-26
Defining essential competencies for each type of disability in each speciality involves a very complex process, which is multi-dimensional & dynamic. Assistive devices & medical technologies are also rapidly advancing & evolving. Striking a balance between inclusion and the imperatives of patient safety and clinical competence in medical education and practice is of paramount importance.
Pertinent to mention that Post Graduate medical courses shall require speciality-specific deliberations, as the required competencies and skills may vary over a wider range and therefore extensive consultations with medical experts/ beneficiaries/ stakeholders are needed.
In view of the aforesaid facts, final guidelines after following all procedural aspects and further consultations, shall be notified & implemented from the subsequent Academic Years. However, the admission process for PwBD candidates for AY 2025-26 must continue uninterrupted. Accordingly, the group of medical experts under the committee duly constituted by NMC (under the chairmanship of Dr Achal Gulati) have unanimously reached a conclusion to adopt interim guidelines for admissions in AY 2025-26.
MANDATORY USE OF UDID PORTAL
As per Gazette Notification, issued by the 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 PG candidates under the disability category.
EVALUATION FRAMEWORK BASED ON MOSJE GUIDELINES
Further, in view of the paramount importance of patient safety and clinical competence, the assessment of candidates with disabilities may be conducted in accordance with the recently notified guidelines 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.
INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE RPwD ACT
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:
1 Non-Discrimination in Admission and Education (Section 16)- Institutions must ensure that no student with a disability is denied admission on the grounds of disability and must provide an inclusive education system at all levels.
2 Infrastructure Accessibility (Section 45)- Institutions must ensure barrier-free access to buildings, classrooms, libraries, laboratories, hostels, and other facilities as per the standards notified by the Government of India.
3 Sensitisation and Capacity Building- Colleges are encouraged to conduct awareness and sensitisation programs for faculty, staff, and students to promote an inclusive environment and reduce attitudinal barriers.
4 Nodal Officer for Disability Affairs- Institutions are advised to appoint a dedicated Nodal Officer or establish a Disability Cell to address the concerns and support needs of students with disabilities.
Moreover, PwBD candidates must submit-
1 A valid UDID card issued by a designated medical authority under MoSJE.
2 Self-Certified affidavits.
3 The candidate will have to approach the designated medical board for verification of their self-certified affidavit.
To view the notice, click the link below
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-issues-interim-guidelines-for-admission-of-pwbd-candidates-to-pg-medical-courses-for-202526-305033.pdf
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