The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has introduced new guidelines for NEET UG 2025 candidates applying under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category for MBBS admissions. Effective for the 2025-26 academic year, PwBD candidates must obtain a fresh disability certificate from one of 16 MCC-approved centres and submit a valid UDID card. These changes, driven by a Supreme Court order and National Medical Commission (NMC) revisions, adopt a function-based approach to assess candidates’ abilities, ensuring a fair and inclusive admission process. Read below for complete details.
New Rules for PwBD Candidates
The MCC has mandated that all NEET UG 2025 PwBD candidates obtain a fresh disability certificate from one of 16 designated centres to qualify for the 5% reserved quota in All India Quota (AIQ) seats. This follows a Supreme Court directive in the Om Rathod vs Union of India case and updated NMC guidelines. Candidates must also provide a valid UDID card (Yellow or above) issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and self-certified affidavits (Appendix A-F) specific to their disability type, such as locomotor, hearing, visual, or mental health conditions.
Function-Based Assessment Approach
The NMC has shifted to a function-based assessment, replacing the older percentage-based criteria, as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and a March 2024 Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment notification. Medical boards at MCC-approved centres evaluate candidates’ functional abilities, such as writing, mobility, or understanding medical terminology, rather than focusing solely on disability percentage. For example, candidates with visual impairments must bring low vision aids for evaluation, while those with conditions like autism or hemophilia submit specific affidavits.
Steps to Apply Under PwBD Quota
To secure a PwBD quota seat, candidates must:
- Qualify NEET UG 2025.
- Obtain a valid UDID card from DEPwD.
- Submit self-certified affidavits in the prescribed format (Appendix A-F).
- Visit one of 16 MCC-approved centres for a medical board assessment.
The certificate is valid only for the 2025-26 session. For state quota seats (85%), candidates can use state disability board certificates, but assessments must align with NMC guidelines.
Impact on Admission Process
These new guidelines are meant to make the admission process fair and transparent for PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) candidates. They fix problems from the past where some students were unfairly excluded, as pointed out by the Supreme Court. The court said that all students have a right to equal treatment under the Constitution and that reasonable support should be given to disabled candidates. The updated rules ensure that only those who are able to handle MBBS studies are selected, making the process more inclusive. Candidates should visit mcc.nic.in for full details and exam centre information.
