The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released Interim Guidelines outlining the assessment method for admitting Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates to the MBBS course for the Academic Year 2025-26. This move aligns with the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgment in Om Rathod vs. Union of India and other related rulings, as well as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the updated disability assessment standards notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) on March 12, 2024.
The NMC, through an expert committee, reassessed its 2019 Disability Guidelines (Appendix H-1) to ensure harmony with current legislation and judicial pronouncements. The new approach prioritizes functional competency over rigid percentage-based disability thresholds, aiming to create a fair and inclusive medical education environment.
Procedure for MBBS Admissions (AY 2025-26) for PwBD Candidates
PwBD candidates applying for MBBS admission in the upcoming academic year must adhere to the following procedure:
- UDID Card Submission: Candidates must submit a valid Unique Disability ID (UDID) card issued by a designated medical authority under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE). The UDID card is now considered an essential and authoritative proof for eligibility.
- Self-Certified Affidavits: Candidates are required to submit self-certified affidavits in the formats provided under Schedule-I of the Interim Guidelines. These affidavits allow candidates to declare their functional abilities and specific conditions.
- Verification by Designated Medical Boards: Candidates will then report to one of the 16 designated medical boards for the verification of their self-certified affidavit and evaluation of their functional abilities.
Role of Designated Medical Boards
The Designated Medical Boards bear the responsibility of verifying the accuracy of self-certified affidavits and assessing candidates’ functional abilities. The Interim Guidelines set forth detailed assessment procedures for these boards:
- Boards will verify declared competencies, and if unsubstantiated, may issue a reasoned decision declaring the candidate ineligible.
- If a candidate self-declares one or more essential competencies as negative or is unable to demonstrate them, the board will holistically assess if compensatory alternative functionalities exist to enable the candidate to pursue the MBBS course.
- Boards may utilize standardized tests and tools focused on evaluating abilities rather than merely disabilities.
- All decisions by the designated medical boards will be in the form of speaking orders (reasoned decisions).
Future Outlook and Current Advice:
While these guidelines are interim for AY 2025-26, acknowledging the complexity of defining essential competencies for various disabilities and the rapid evolution of assistive devices, the NMC plans to notify final guidelines after further consultations and procedural aspects for subsequent Academic Years.
Admissions will be processed based on NEET 2025 scores, institutional preferences, and the verification of required documents by the designated medical board(s). Medical colleges are obligated to provide reasonable accommodations accordingly.
PwBD candidates are strongly advised to visit the Intra MCC portal for detailed instructions regarding this process. This initiative is a crucial step towards fostering an inclusive medical workforce, upholding principles of dignity and equal opportunity in medical education.