NEET Exam Aspirants with Disabilities Await NMC’s New Guidelines for MBBS, BDS Admissions:
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is expected to introduce new admission guidelines for PwD candidates seeking admission to MBBS and BDS courses.
The move comes after repeated legal interventions and growing concerns over outdated eligibility criteria that have denied many deserving candidates the opportunity to pursue medical education.
Aspirant’s Struggle: The Case of Anita Shinde
Jalna’s Anita Shinde, who cleared the NEET UG exam in 2020 with a 72nd percentile, was hopeful of securing a medical seat under the differently-abled category. However, despite her perseverance, she was denied admission due to the existing eligibility criteria.
Anita lost her left hand in an accident during childhood, leading to a 60% locomotor disability as classified by the Disability Assessment Board (DAB) of AIIPMR, Mumbai.
She even invested Rs 3 lakh in a prosthetic hand, which allows her to perform daily tasks efficiently.
Despite this, the medical board deemed her ineligible, citing the 2019 Graduate Medical Education Regulations, which require candidates to have “both hands intact, with intact sensations, sufficient strength, and range of motion.”
Disheartened by the outdated regulations, Anita switched to legal studies and is now completing her LLB. “I want to fight for justice for PwD students.
The MBBS course is not limited to surgery, yet the eligibility criteria remain rigid. If new guidelines are introduced, I would still like to pursue medical education,” she stated.
Legal Push for Change in NMC’s PwD Guidelines:
The struggle of students like Anita has led to several legal battles. In April 2022, the Delhi High Court directed NMC to update its PwD admission criteria in line with technological advancements. However, implementation delays have continued to impact aspirants.
Also read: NEET UG 2025: Official Exam Pattern and Duration
In September 2024, AIIMS Delhi was ordered by the Delhi High Court to reassess the case of Kabir Paharia, an MBBS aspirant with a bilateral upper limb disability. The Supreme Court also urged NMC to draft fresh guidelines, ensuring a more inclusive selection process.
Upcoming Changes: Functional Competency Based Selection
Dr. Satendra Singh, founder of Doctors with Disabilities: Agents of Change and Director-Professor at UCMS and GTB Hospital, emphasized that the current regulations rely on outdated deficit based parameters rather than evaluating a candidate’s functional abilities. “NMC has assured that new guidelines will focus on competency rather than physical limitations,” he said.
Dr. B Srinivas, Secretary of NMC, confirmed that the Undergraduate Board of Medical Education (UGMEB) is finalizing the new guidelines. “The revised criteria will be released before the next NEET UG counselling session.
Additionally, medical colleges will be directed to establish Enabling Units to support PwD students on campus,” he stated.
Hope for PwD Aspirants in Medical Education:
The expected new NMC admission guidelines could open doors for several PwD candidates aspiring to join MBBS and BDS courses.
With advancements in medical technology, accessibility tools, and inclusive policies, the new framework aims to ensure that deserving students are assessed based on their abilities rather than limitations.
As PwD candidates await the official release of the new guidelines, there is hope that medical education in India will soon become more inclusive, allowing competent students to achieve their dreams of becoming doctors.
