Despite clear directives from the Supreme Court emphasizing functional competency over rigid disability percentages, numerous medical boards across India are reportedly rejecting qualified NEET candidates with disabilities for MBBS programs. These rejections are based on outdated guidelines and a failure to properly implement new interim guidelines on functional assessment issued on July 19, 2025.
The situation has left many disabled students, who cleared the NEET exam in 2025, in a state of uncertainty. According to the National Testing Agency, 753 out of 8,842 candidates with disabilities successfully passed the NEET exam. The new interim guidelines prioritize "functional competency over rigid percentage-based disability thresholds," focusing on reasonable accommodations and individual capabilities. However, candidates report that assessment boards are not adequately trained in these guidelines.
One wheelchair-using candidate reported being asked to perform physical activities like walking, standing, and climbing stairs, while another candidate with missing fingers was rejected by a board in Tamil Nadu, only to be selected during counseling in Kerala under the All-India quota. Such inconsistencies highlight the discrepancies in the evaluation process and a lack of uniform application of the guidelines.
The Supreme Court has mandated that disability assessment boards include at least one doctor with a disability and receive adequate training from professionals and individuals with expertise in disability justice. However, as of early August 2025, no training schedule has been published, and no directives have been issued to ensure the inclusion of doctors with disabilities on these boards.
Furthermore, the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) have not established an appellate body, as directed by the Supreme Court, leaving candidates without a forum for redress other than the courts. The NMC has also failed to establish at least one assessment center in each state and union territory, forcing candidates to travel long distances and incur significant expenses for assessment. With only 16 centers in 11 states, the process is both unfair and discriminatory.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued new rules for NEET UG 2025 candidates applying under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category, mandating fresh disability certificates from designated centers. This follows a Supreme Court order and updated NMC guidelines, emphasizing functional competence over the percentage of disability. Candidates need a valid UDID card and specific affidavits, ensuring a fairer and more inclusive admission process under the All India Quota (AIQ).
These changes stem from a Supreme Court ruling in Om Rathod vs Union of India, which called for an update in how disabilities are assessed for MBBS admissions. The new guidelines focus on a functional competence model, aligning with the 2016 disability rights law and a recent notification by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The Supreme Court has emphasized that reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities is a fundamental right, not charity, as guaranteed under Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Constitution. The Court has directed the NMC to revise its guidelines, ensuring no deserving candidate in the PwBD category is denied admission.
Despite these efforts, disability rights activists point out that justice is often served only through the courts. They urge the NMC to implement the Supreme Court's orders and ensure that adequate committees, accommodations, and other essential measures are in place. The NMC's continued failure to comply with court orders forces aspirants with disabilities to fight for their rightful place in MBBS courses.
