NEET Counselling: In NMC’s new rules for PwBD admissions, individualised reports, chance to appeal

The medical assessment boards determining the eligibility of persons with benchmark disability (PwBD) for MBBS admissions will have to provide detailed written orders, which can be challenged by the aspirants before an ‘appellate authority’ under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW).

These provisions have been included in the new guidelines for assessing benchmark (more than 40%) disabilities issued on Monday by the National Medical Commission (NMC), as it moves from rigid disability percentage-based evaluation of the students’ suitability for medical education and profession to an individualised assessment of their abilities.

The guidelines, which will be applicable for the upcoming undergraduate admissions, via NEET counselling 2026 , expand on the interim guidelines issued by the regulator last year after the Supreme Court (SC) struck down the commission’s earlier regulations – which included requirements such as “both hands intact with sensations and sufficient strength” – terming them “arbitrary, discriminatory, and unconstitutional”.

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NMC PwBD guidelines: 3 verdicts, assessments in writing

As in the interim guidelines, the latest norms require the assessment boards to assess whether the candidates fulfil a set of essential competencies related to communication, comprehension, hearing, dominant-hand functionality and vision. Moreover, the regulator wants the assessors to examine if assistive technology, adaptive devices or appropriate infrastructural support would enable the candidate to successfully pursue and complete the medical course, underscoring the need for “reasonable accommodation” in these evaluations.

The guidelines direct the assessment boards to record in writing “reasoned and speaking orders”, containing the reasons, objective findings, functional assessment and conclusions. The boards will have to reach one of the three verdicts – Eligible; Eligible with Reasonable Accommodation, or Ineligible.

The name of the document issued by these boards has been changed from ‘Disability Certificate’ to ‘Eligibility Certificate’, reflecting the change in approach to evaluation.

No stereotypes or outdated medical opinions

NMC stressed that while the assessment boards will “ordinarily” consider the particulars recorded in the students’ permanent Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards, they are supposed to independently determine the candidate's functional competency in accordance with the guidelines. The commission also cautioned the boards against relying on what it termed as outdated medical opinions, stereotypes and unsupported assumptions relating to disability.

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

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Appellate authority under DGHS, health ministry

The new guidelines also provide the candidates an opportunity to appeal against the board’s decision. For this purpose, an appellate authority is expected to be constituted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW). The authority has been empowered to direct a fresh medical assessment by an expert and additional medical opinion.

The medical colleges and NEET UG counselling authorities have also been asked to set up “effective, accessible and time-bound” grievance redress mechanisms for addressing complaints relating to disability assessment. Grievances are to be dealt with fairly, expeditiously and in accordance with the applicable provisions of law, say the guidelines.

‘Enabling units’ in medical colleges

NMC pointed out that DGHS has increased the number of designated assessment centres from 16 to 61 to facilitate greater accessibility, transparency and uniformity in the evaluation process. “These guidelines accordingly 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, with the objective of ensuring equal opportunity while preserving academic standards, professional competence and patient safety,” concludes the document.

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In a separate communication, NMC has directed the colleges and institutes to set up ‘enabling units’ as a single point of contact for persons with benchmark disabilities. These centres are expected to provide academic and clinical support measures and barrier-free access within the institution to disabled students, among other facilities.

“Medical colleges are encouraged to undertake periodic sensitization and capacity building programmes for faculty members, administrative staff and students to promote an inclusive academic environment and eliminate physical, communication and attitudinal barriers,” said the regulator.

Disability activist and director-professor at University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), New Delhi, Satendra Singh suggested that NMC is yet to comply with the apex court's directives on including doctors with disabilities in every medical assessment board and establishing these boards in every state and union territory.

He also criticised the delay in issuing these guidelines. "[It's a] deliberate ploy by NMC to delay proceedings in second successive year, thereby not allowing time for 30-day stakeholder consultation on the policy document," he said.