NMC notifies PwBD assessment guidelines for MBBS admissions 2026, introduces competency based framework, Check complete details

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued new Guidelines on Assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) for Admission to the MBBS Course for the academic year 2026, exercising its powers under the NMC Act, 2019 and the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023.

The new guidelines, which came into effect on July 27, 2026, introduce a competency-based framework for assessing PwBD candidates seeking admission to MBBS courses across the country.

In a notification issued on 27.7.2026, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of NMC said, "In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 10 and 24 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, read with Section 57 thereof, and in furtherance of the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, the National Medical Commission hereby issues the following Guidelines. These Guidelines may be called the "Guidelines on Assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) for Admission to the MBBS Course, 2026". They shall come into force on the date of their publication by the National Medical Commission."

These Guidelines introduce a competency-based and function-oriented assessment framework, whereby the determination of eligibility will not rest solely upon the numerical percentage or category of disability reflected in the UDID Card or other disability certification.

While the benchmark disability prescribed under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 will continue to determine eligibility for reservation under the PwBD category, admission to the MBBS Course will be based upon an objective evaluation of the candidate's functional competencies, with due regard to reasonable accommodation, assistive technology, environmental accessibility and contemporary advances in rehabilitation science.

For the purposes of these Guidelines, the certificate presently issued by the designated Medical Boards for admission to the MBBS Course, though commonly referred to as a "Disability Certificate", shall be known as the "Eligibility Certificate", as it is intended to certify the candidate's eligibility or otherwise for admission to the MBBS Course based on functional assessment rather than merely certifying the existence or extent of disability.

To improve accessibility and make the assessment process more uniform across the country, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has increased the number of designated assessment centres from 16 to 61. These centres, referred to as Medical Assessment Boards, will conduct functional assessments in accordance with the new guidelines. Any further expansion of these assessment boards will be notified by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).

Specifying its objective, the Commission said, "The National Medical Commission recognizes that Persons with Benchmark Disabilities constitute an integral part of society and are entitled to equality, dignity, non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation in all spheres of life, including medical education, in accordance with the Constitution of India and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Simultaneously, the National Medical Commission is entrusted with the statutory responsibility of maintaining high standards of undergraduate medical education and ensuring that every medical graduate acquires the essential competencies necessary for the safe, ethical and effective practice of modern medicine in accordance with the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum. Medical education demands the acquisition of knowledge, professional skills, clinical competencies, communication abilities and ethical values. The assessment of candidates with benchmark disabilities must therefore balance the rights guaranteed under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 with the statutory obligation to maintain academic standards, professional competence and patient safety."

These Guidelines seek to establish a transparent, uniform, evidence-based and competency-oriented framework for the assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities seeking admission to the MBBS Course throughout the country.

Equality and Non-Discrimination

The guidelines state that candidates with a minimum 40% benchmark disability will be eligible to avail reservation under the PwBD category. They emphasize that every PwBD candidate with a specified disability must receive equal treatment throughout the admission process and should not face discrimination solely because of their disability.

The NMC has clarified that a disability should not be treated as a disqualification unless it clearly prevents a candidate from acquiring the essential competencies required for the MBBS course, even after providing reasonable accommodation.

The guidelines further state that disability must be understood in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and recognize that disability results from the interaction between an individual's impairment and environmental, institutional, social and attitudinal barriers. They also stress that efforts should be made to provide reasonable accommodation, assistive technology and accessible educational practices to enable PwBD candidates to successfully pursue medical education.

ELIGIBILITY, DOCUMENTATION AND DISABILITY ASSESSMENT

Eligibility and Documentation

i. A candidate seeking admission to the MBBS Course under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category shall possess a benchmark disability of not less than forty per cent (40%), in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the rules made thereunder.

ii. Every such candidate shall possess a valid Permanent Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card issued through the UDID Portal by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The UDID Card shall serve as the primary documentary evidence of the existence, nature and extent of the specified disability for the purposes of these Guidelines.

iii. While the particulars recorded in the Permanent UDID Card, including the category, percentage and validity of the specified disability, should ordinarily form the basis of consideration by the Medical Assessment Board, the Board should independently determine the candidate's functional competency in accordance with these Guidelines. The determination of eligibility shall not be based solely upon the category or percentage of disability recorded in the UDID Card.

iv. Where the Medical Assessment Board considers it necessary for determining the functional competency of the candidate or the feasibility of providing reasonable accommodation, it may require the candidate to undergo such further clinical examination, functional evaluation or verification as it considers appropriate.

v. Every candidate shall submit a self-certified affidavit declaring his or her functional abilities in the format specified in Schedule-I, which shall be verified by the Medical Assessment Board during the course of assessment.

vi. A candidate shall not be denied consideration under the PwBD category solely on account of a procedural defect or discrepancy in the Permanent UDID Card, provided that such defect is capable of rectification and the specified disability is otherwise established in accordance with law.

vii. Every admission to the MBBS Course under the PwBD category shall be regulated by these Guidelines, and every Medical College, Counselling Authority and Medical Assessment Board shall ensure strict compliance with the provisions contained herein.

Medical Assessment Board

i. Every Medical Assessment Board shall discharge its functions fairly, objectively, transparently and in accordance with the principles of natural justice, equity and the rule of law.

ii. Every candidate appearing before the Medical Assessment Board shall be treated with dignity, respect and fairness throughout the assessment process.

iii. The Medical Assessment Board shall ensure that no candidate is subjected to physical, environmental, communication or attitudinal barriers during the assessment process.

iv. The Medical Assessment Board shall undertake the assessment of candidates in accordance with-

(a) the assessment methodology prescribed under the Notification dated 12th March, 2024 issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment;

(b) these Guidelines; and

(c) any other applicable statutory provisions governing the assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.

Matters to be Verified and Evaluated

i. While assessing the eligibility of a candidate under these Guidelines, the Medical Assessment Board shall verify and evaluate, inter alia-

(a) the Permanent Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card issued by the competent authority under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment;

(b) the nature, extent and stability of the specified disability and the underlying medical condition;

(c) the candidate's functional abilities in relation to the essential competencies prescribed under the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum;

(d) the suitability and effectiveness of any assistive device, assistive technology or adaptive aid used by the candidate;

(e) the feasibility of providing reasonable accommodation to facilitate acquisition of the prescribed competencies;

(f) the impact, if any, ofthe disability upon patient safety; and

(g) such other clinical, functional or educational factors as may be relevant for determining the candidate's eligibility under these Guidelines.

Principles Governing Determination of Eligibility

The determination of eligibility by the Medical Assessment Board shall be guided by the following principles-

(a) Functional Competency

The primary consideration shall be whether the candidate possesses, or can reasonably acquire with appropriate support and reasonable accommodation, the essential competencies prescribed under the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum.

(b) Individualized Assessment

Every assessment shall be individualized, objective and evidence-based. No candidate shall be declared eligible or ineligible solely on account of the category or percentage of disability.

(c) Scientific Assessment

Assessment shall be based upon objective medical findings, scientific evidence, functional evaluation, contemporary rehabilitation principles and evidence-based medical practice. The Medical Assessment Board shall avoid reliance upon outdated medical opinions, stereotypes or unsupported assumptions relating to disability. Where advances in rehabilitation medicine, assistive technology or adaptive devices substantially improve the functional abilities of the candidate, due consideration shall be given to such advancements while determining eligibility.

(d) Reasonable Accommodation

Prior to declaring a candidate ineligible, the Medical Assessment Board shall examine whether reasonable accommodation, assistive technology, adaptive devices or appropriate infrastructural support would enable the candidate to successfully pursue and complete the MBBS Course without compromising the acquisition of the prescribed competencies.

Provision of reasonable accommodation shall not be construed as dilution of academic standards but shall constitute a measure to ensure substantive equality of opportunity for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.

Reasonable accommodation may include, inter alia-

(i) assistive devices;

(ii) adaptive equipment;

(iii) digitalaccessibility;

(iv) accessible teaching and learning material;

(v) communication support;

(vi) ergonomic modifications;

(vii) examination accommodations consistent with academic standards; and

(viii) accessible clinical learning environments.

Patient Safety

Patient safety shall remain an important consideration while determining eligibility. However, any conclusion relating to patient safety shall be based upon objective clinical and functional evidence and shall not rest upon generalized assumptions, stereotypes or preconceived notions regarding disability.

Procedure for issuance of Certificate to the PwBD Candidate and Review Mechanism

Procedure for issuance of Certificate to the PwBD Candidate

i. Upon completion of the functional assessment, the Medical Assessment Board shall determine whether the candidate is Eligible; Eligible with Reasonable Accommodation, or Ineligible for admission to the MBBS Course under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category in accordance with these Guidelines.

ii. The determination of eligibility shall be based on-

(a) the candidate's demonstrated functional competency in relation to the essential competencies prescribed under the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum;

(b) the feasibility of providing reasonable accommodation, assistive technology or other support measures, wherever appropriate;

(c) the ability of the candidate to successfully complete the MBBS Course and acquire the prescribed competencies; and

(d) considerations relating to patient safety, supported by objective medical and functional evidence.

iii. No candidate shall be declared ineligible solely on the basis of-

(a) the diagnosis or category of disability;

(b) the percentage of benchmark disability recorded in the UDID Card or Disability Certificate; or

(c) generalized assumptions or stereotypes associated with any disability.

iv. A candidate shall be declared ineligible only where the Medical Assessment Board, after due consideration of reasonable accommodation and assistive technology, records, by a reasoned and speaking order, that the candidate is unable to acquire the essential competencies prescribed under the Competency Based Medical Education (CВМЕ) curriculum or that the disability would pose a demonstrable and unacceptable risk to patient safety which cannot be mitigated through reasonable accommodation.

v. Every determination of the Medical Assessment Board shall be recorded in writing and shall clearly specify-

(a) the nature and extent of the disability;

(b) the findings of the functional competency assessment;

(c) the reasonable accommodation, if any, considered or recommended;

(d) the reasons supporting the determination of eligibility or ineligibility; and

(e) the final recommendation of the Board.

vi. The Medical Assessment Board shall issue an Eligibility Certificate, in the format specified in Schedule-II, certifying whether the candidate is-

(i) Eligible;

(ii) Eligible with Reasonable Accommodation, specifying the accommodation(s) recommended; or

(iii) Ineligible, together with the reasons recorded in accordance with clause 12.4.

Appellate Mechanism

i. Any candidate aggrieved by the findings or decision of the Medical Assessment Board may prefer an appeal before the Appellate Authority constituted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, within such time and in such manner as may be notified by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) from time to time.

ii. The Appellate Authority shall independently examine the appeal and may, where considered necessary, call for the records of the Medical Assessment Board, direct a fresh medical assessment by an appropriate expert or specialist, seek additional medical opinion, or undertake such further examination as it deems fit in accordance with these Guidelines.

iv. The Appellate Authority shall pass a reasoned and speaking order, clearly recording the basis for affirming, modifying, or setting aside the findings of the Medical Assessment Board.

iv. The decision of the Appellate Authority shall be final for the purposes of counselling and admission under these Guidelines, subject to any order or direction of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Institutional Responsibilities

i. Every Medical College, Medical Counselling Committee, State Counselling Authority and Medical Assessment Board shall ensure that the provisions of these Guidelines are implemented in letter and spirit.

ii. Every institution shall take appropriate measures to ensure that no PwBD candidate is denied admission or subjected to discrimination solely on the ground of disability, except in accordance with these Guidelines and the applicable statutory provisions.

iii. Every institution shall endeavor to provide reasonable accommodation, barrier-free access and accessible learning environments in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the applicable standards notified by the Government of India.

iv. Medical Colleges are encouraged to undertake periodic sensitization and capacitybuilding programmes for faculty members, administrative staff and students to promote an inclusive academic environment and eliminate physical, communication and attitudinal barriers.

v. Every Medical College shall designate a Nodal Officer or establish an appropriate institutional mechanism in the nature of an enabling unit to serve as a single point of contactto address the PwBD candidates seeking clinical accommodations and further to facilitate implementation of these Guidelines and to address various other issues concerning PwBD candidates. These measures reflect the institutional responsibilities emphasized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Grievance Redressal Mechanism

i. Every Medical College and Counselling Authority shall maintain an effective, accessible and time-bound grievance redressal mechanism for addressing complaints relating to disability assessment, denial of reasonable accommodation or any act of discrimination against PwBD candidates.

ii. Every grievance shall be dealt with fairly, expeditiously and in accordance with the applicable provisions of law.

Compliance

i. Every admission to the MBBS Course under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities category shall be governed by these Guidelines.

ii. Every authority concerned with the admission process shall strictly comply with these Guidelines.

iii. No Medical Assessment Board shall declare a candidate ineligible without recording reasons in writing based upon functional assessment, scientific evidence and the principles contained in these Guidelines.

iv. Every recommendation of the Medical Assessment Board shall be made by a reasoned and speaking order.

Power to Issue Clarifications

The National Medical Commission may issue such clarifications, advisories, standard operating procedures or procedural instructions, consistent with these Guidelines and the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, as may be necessary for their effective and uniform implementation.

Interpretation

If any question arises regarding the interpretation or implementation of these Guidelines, the matter shall be referred to the National Medical Commission whose decision thereon shall be final, subject to the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and any judgment or direction of a competent Court.

Repeal and Saving Clause

i. These Guidelines shall supersede all previous guidelines, advisories and instructions issued by the National Medical Commission or the erstwhile Medical Council of India relating to the assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities for admission to the MBBS Course, to the extent they are inconsistent with these Guidelines.

ii. Notwithstanding such supersession, any action taken, assessment conducted or decision made under the earlier guidelines shall be deemed to have been validly taken or made insofar as it is not inconsistent with these Guidelines.

Overriding Principle

While implementing these Guidelines, every authority shall ensure that the assessment of candidate is based upon functional competency, objective medical evidence and the possibility of reasonable accommodation. No candidate shall be denied consideration or declared ineligible solely on the basis of diagnosis, disability category or generalized assumptions regarding disability. The paramount considerations shall be equality of opportunity, maintenance of academic standards and patient safety, to be harmoniously applied in accordance with the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and the Regulations and Guidelines framed thereunder and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

These 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:

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