Disability Certificate: MBBS Admission 2026: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued guidelines for assessing individuals with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) seeking admission to the MBBS course in 2026. It introduces a competency-based framework for evaluating candidates seeking admission under the PwBD quota.
According to the Commission, the aim of this revised framework is to ensure equal opportunities in medical education for individuals with benchmark disabilities while upholding standards for undergraduate medical training, professional competence, and patient safety.
Functional Competency to Determine Eligibility
One of the key changes in the guidelines is that eligibility for MBBS admission will no longer be determined solely based on the percentage or category of disability specified in the Unique Disability Identity (UDID) card or other disability certificates.
Instead, Medical Assessment Boards will evaluate functional competency. They will assess whether the candidate can acquire and perform the competencies required under the ‘Competency-Based Medical Education’ (CBME) curriculum, regardless of whether they require reasonable accommodation or assistive technology.
The guidelines state, “Determination of eligibility shall not be based merely on the numerical percentage or category of disability as indicated in the UDID card or other disability certification.”
While the ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016’ will continue to determine eligibility for reservation under the PwBD category, admission to the MBBS course will depend on an impartial assessment of the candidate’s functional competencies.
‘Disability Certificate’ Renamed to ‘Eligibility Certificate’
The NMC has also modified the terminology used during the admission process. The document issued by the authorized medical assessment board, previously commonly referred to as a “disability certificate”, will now be known as an “eligibility certificate.”
According to the Commission, the revised name reflects the certificate’s purpose. Its objective is not merely to certify the presence or extent of a disability but to determine a candidate’s eligibility for admission based on a functional assessment. The number of assessment centers has been increased from 16 to 61.
To improve accessibility nationwide and ensure standardised assessment, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has increased the number of designated assessment centres from 16 to 61. These centers, designated as medical assessment boards, will conduct functional assessments in accordance with the new guidelines. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) may announce additional assessment boards in the future.
