SC Ruling on PwBD NEET UG 2025: Changes for MCC Counselling

SC Ruling on PwBD NEET Admissions: In the landmark Om Rathod v. Director General of Health Services & Ors. judgement decided on 25 October 2024, the Supreme Court of India directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to revisit and modernise the PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) admission policy for NEET UG based on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the central government’s March 2024 notification.

As a result, NMC constituted an expert committee to review and modernise the 2019 Appendix H-1 disability guidelines. Later, it released interim guidelines for the 2025-26 academic year.

Fixed Disability Percentage to Functional Competence

• The new guidelines shift from fixed disability thresholds to a functional competency-based assessment. Rather than relying on whether a candidate has, say, 40% or more disability, medical boards will now evaluate whether they can effectively perform essential academic and clinical tasks required for MBBS.
• Candidates’ abilities in areas like communication, mobility, vision, and cognition will be assessed through structured tests and tools administered by authorised medical boards.

Mandatory UDID Card & Fresh Disability Certificate

• Every PwBD aspirant must now hold a valid UDID card (Yellow category or higher, except for visual disability applicants), issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) via the official UDID portal- Swavlamban Portal.
• They must also visit one of the 16 MCC‑designated disability verification centres across India to obtain a fresh, NEET‑specific disability certificate based on the updated functional assessment criteria.

Required Documents & Affidavit Submission

Candidates must carry the following to their designated assessment centre:

• NEET UG 2025 result showing eligibility.
• Valid UDID card (Yellow or above).
• General self-certified affidavit in the specified format (Appendix A).
• Disability-specific affidavit tailored to the candidate’s condition (Appendix B–F), depending on whether it’s locomotor, hearing, visual, mental illness, or other disability type.

At the centre, the medical board will verify these affidavits and conduct the functional assessment. Only after successfully evaluating the candidate will they issue the certificate that qualifies the candidate for PwBD-reserved seats during AIQ counselling.

Validity, AIQs, and State Quota Implications

• These new disability certificates are valid only for the 2025-26 academic year. Candidates will need fresh certification if applying in future years.
• For the 85% state quota seats, candidates may obtain certificates from state-authorised boards, but must follow the NMC-prescribed functional assessment framework.

Impact on PwBD Candidates & Counselling Process

• Uniform Certification Process: AIQ counselling will only consider PwBD certificates issued from the 16 designated MCC centres. Without this certificate, applicants cannot access PwBD-reserved seats.
• Fairer Evaluation: Emphasis on functional competence over disability percentage ensures that candidates who can perform essential medical tasks are not excluded due to arbitrary thresholds.
• Improved Transparency and Legitimacy: Multiple requirements, UDID card, affidavits, and assessment at official centres, reduce improvised or fraudulent certification risks.
• Accessibility Compliance Mandated: Medical colleges must now comply with the RPwD Act mandates: barrier-free infrastructure, grievance redressal systems, disability nodal officers, and sensitisation awareness programs for faculty and staff.

Summary Table

Aspect	What’s New for 2025 Counselling
Eligibility	NEET UG 2025 qualified and valid UDID card
Certification	Fresh disability certificate from one of 16 MCC-approved centres
Self-affidavits	Mandatory general + disability-specific affidavits (Appendices A–F)
Assessment	Functional ability, not percentage-based; speaking orders required
Validity	Certificate valid only for 2025–26 session
State Quota	Must follow same framework via state disability boards
Institutional Role	Ensure accessibility, appoint nodal officer, grievance mechanism

What PwBD Candidates Should Do

1. Apply or update your UDID card via the official DEPwD portal.
2. Download and complete self-certification and disability-specific affidavits (Appendix A–F as applicable).
3. Visit one of the 16 MCC-approved disability certification centres before counselling.
4. Carry original documents (UDID card, NEET score, affidavits) for assessment.
5. Only certified candidates can view or choose PwBD quota seats during AIQ counselling.
6. For State Quota, follow NMC and state board timelines and certification centres.

These revised guidelines represent a shift in India’s approach to inclusive medical education. Certified through official channels and reviewing candidate ability rather than labels, the policy is designed to be fairer, transparent, and more aligned with the principles of the RPwD Act.

For PwBD candidates aspiring for MBBS admission this year, understanding and preparing for these new requirements is essential to avoid disqualification or procedural delays.