NMC directs medical colleges to set up enabling units for PwBD students
New Delhi: Complying with the Supreme Court's directive and with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, particularly Sections 16 and 17, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed all medical colleges and institutions under its jurisdiction to set up Enabling Units for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
The Apex regulatory medical body stated that every medical college must establish an Enabling Unit that will serve as the single point of contact for students with benchmark disabilities.
Issuing a circular in this effect on July 27, 2026, the NMC said, "In compliance with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, particularly Sections 16 and 17, which cast an obligation upon educational institutions to provide inclusive education, reasonable accommodation, appropriate support measures, and an accessible learning environment for persons with benchmark disabilities, and in furtherance of the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Om Rathore v. Director General of Health Services & Ors. and the order dated 21.07.2026 passed in Anmol v. Union of India & Ors., all medical colleges/institutions regulated by the National Medical Commission are directed to constitute an Enabling Unit within the institution."
According to the Commission, the Enabling Unit will help students access reasonable accommodation, academic and clinical support, and barrier-free facilities within the institution. It will also receive and address requests related to disability-specific accommodations during the course of study, including clinical training and internship.
Further, the Units has been asked to inform students regarding the availability, role, and contact details of the Enabling Unit to all students at the time of admission and through the institution's website and notice boards;
The NMC has also directed the Enabling Units to coordinate with the designated Disability Assessment Board, faculty members, hospital administration, and other competent authorities to ensure that reasonable accommodations are implemented in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the Commission's guidelines.
Along with this, the Units will be responsible for maintaining records of requests received and accommodations provided while ensuring confidentiality and preventing discrimination.
"All medical colleges/institutions shall ensure that the Enabling Unit is functional, adequately publicized, and readily accessible to students with benchmark disabilities so as to promote an inclusive educational environment consistent with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court," the circular signed by NMC secretary Dr Raghav Langer mentioned.
Commenting on this, Dr Satendra Singh, Professor of the Department of Physiology, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur (UCMS-GTB) Hospital and founder of Doctors with Disabilities: Agents of Change said in a statement to Medical Dialogues, "Based on my recommendation in Supreme Courts judgement in Om Rathod (2024) & later follow up by intervention appeal in ongoing Supreme Court case (Anmol v UOI), NMC finally issued circular to all medical institutions in the country on Enabling Unit."
He also said in a Facebook post, "Despite the Supreme Court’s clear directions, the NMC failed to comply. We had to move the Supreme Court again with an interim application just to get its own judgment implemented. After 1 year and 9 months, the NMC has finally complied. Better late than never, but compliance with Supreme Court orders should never require returning to the Court."
In the Rathore case, the Supreme Court held that Disability Assessment Boards must assess a candidate's functional competency on an individual basis, taking into account reasonable accommodation and assistive technology, instead of declaring them ineligible solely on the basis of the percentage of disability.
In its February 2025 judgment, the Supreme Court held that denying admission solely on the basis of the percentage of disability or rigid eligibility criteria, without an individualised functional assessment, is unconstitutional and contrary to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. The Court also rejected the "both hands intact" requirement as ableist and directed the NMC to revise its disability assessment guidelines.
To view the official circular, click on the link below:
