The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued an urgent notice for all candidates participating in NEET UG Counselling 2026 who wish to apply under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category. The notice, dated August 7, 2026, brings two major updates: an addendum to the NMC’s PwBD assessment guidelines, and the constitution of Appellate Disability Assessment Boards across the country.
NMC Issues Addendum on UDID Card Validity
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued an addendum, dated August 5, 2026, to its earlier notification of July 27, 2026 on the “Guidelines on Assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) for Admission to the MBBS Course, 2026.”
The addendum clarifies Clause 9.2 of the guidelines, which required every PwBD candidate to hold a valid Permanent Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card. Citing an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) on December 17, 2025, the NMC has now clarified that candidates cannot be denied consideration merely because their UDID Card or Disability Certificate is temporary in nature — provided the disability is classified as progressive, non-progressive, or not likely to improve.
Key clarifications include:
- Candidates with a temporary UDID/certificate will not be denied consideration solely on that ground, subject to verification by the Medical Assessment Board.
- Where a temporary UDID records the disability as “likely to improve,” the Medical Assessment Board must re-assess the candidate’s benchmark disability as per the methodology prescribed in the DEPwD notification dated March 12, 2024.
- The Medical Assessment Board will continue to independently assess functional competency as per the July 27, 2026 guidelines before issuing an Eligibility Certificate.
The addendum is to be read as an integral part of the original guidelines and has been issued by Dr. Raghav Langer, Secretary, National Medical Commission.
Appellate Disability Assessment Boards Constituted
In compliance with directions of the Supreme Court of India in M.A. No. 378/2025 in CA No. 14333/2024, an Appellate Body has been constituted for disability assessment and facilitation of PwBD candidates. The Delhi-based Assessment Board will be housed at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, chaired by Dr. Geetha Anandan, Additional DGHS.
The five authorized Appellate Disability Assessment Boards for NEET UG 2026 are:
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- Grant Government Medical College & Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai
- Banaras Hindu University, Banaras
- Madras Medical College, Chennai
- Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER), Kolkata
How to Appeal: Step-by-Step Process
Candidates declared ineligible by the Primary Disability Assessment Medical Board can appeal through the following process:
- Submit an appeal via email to [email protected] and [email protected], along with the choice of Appellate Board, before the start of the relevant NEET counselling round.
- Scheduling: The nodal officer of the chosen Appellate Board will communicate the date, time, venue, and instructions.
- Reporting and verification: The candidate reports on the scheduled date; all medical and disability-related documents are examined.
- Assessment: The Appellate Board conducts the disability assessment as per the DEPwD’s 2024 guidelines, co-opting members if required.
- Final decision: The board records a final, binding decision on disability status, percentage of disability, and PwBD eligibility, via a speaking order.
- Communication: The decision is sent to MCC, with a copy to the Directorate General of Health Services (Dte.GHS).
- Completion: The candidate proceeds with NEET counselling as per the Appellate Board’s decision.
Primary Medical Assessment Boards
The notice also lists 65 Primary Medical Assessment Boards across states – including AIIMS centres, government medical colleges, and state-run institutes – authorized to issue Eligibility Certificates to PwBD candidates seeking the 5% reservation under NEET counselling. Boards have also been directed to include at least one PwBD doctor or health professional as a member.
