The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued new rules for NEET UG 2025 candidates applying under the PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) category. As per the latest notice, all PwBD candidates must get a fresh disability certificate from one of the 16 MCC-approved centres to be eligible for MBBS admission under the reserved quota. This change follows a Supreme Court order and new guidelines from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to ensure fair and accurate assessment of disabilities. Candidates must also carry a valid UDID card and other documents when visiting the disability centres. These new rules aim to make the admission process clearer and more inclusive for students with disabilities.
What’s new in the MCC NEET 2025 guidelines?
The MCC’s latest instructions follow the Supreme Court’s directive in Om Rathod vs Union of India. In compliance, the NMC has updated its disability evaluation framework, replacing older criteria with a function-based approach rooted in the 2016 disability rights law and a March 2024 notification by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.Candidates can read the official notification released by MCC here.
Who is eligible for PwBD quota?
To be considered under the PwBD quota, candidates must:
- Qualify in NEET UG 2025
- Hold a valid UDID card (Yellow or above) issued by DEPwD
- Submit a self-certified affidavit tailored to their disability type (Appendix A to F)
- Undergo medical assessment at one of 16 designated MCC disability centres
Only those certified by these centres will be allowed to opt for PwBD quota seats in the All India Quota (AIQ) during counselling.
Documents required
PwBD candidates must carry the following while visiting a disability certification centre:
- NEET UG 2025 result
- UDID card (Yellow category or higher; excludes visual disability)
- Self-certification form (Appendix A)
- Affidavit matching the disability category (Appendix B to F)
These will be assessed by a medical board that evaluates the candidate’s functional abilities, such as communication, hand function, or ability to walk, depending on the disability type.
Assessment: Function over percentage
The new model focuses on functional competence rather than just disability percentage. Specific forms are used to evaluate hearing, locomotor (upper and lower limbs), mental health, visual impairment, and other conditions. Candidates must demonstrate abilities like writing, independent mobility, or understanding medical terminology, as relevant.
Visual and “other” disabilities
Candidates with visual disabilities must bring their own low vision aids (LVAs) for hands-on evaluation. Those with conditions like Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Autism, or Mental Illness must file the general self-certification (Appendix A) along with affidavits specific to their diagnosis.
Validity and state quota
- The issued disability certificate is valid only for the 2025–26 academic session.
- For State Quota seats (85%), candidates can obtain certificates from State Disability Boards, but the assessment must follow the same NMC guidelines.
Where to get certified?
Some key centres include:
- Safdarjung Hospital (Delhi)
- IPGMER (Kolkata)
- Grant Medical College (Mumbai)
- AIIMS Nagpur
- Lady Hardinge Medical College (Delhi)
- AIISH Mysuru (for hearing and speech disabilities)
(See full list in MCC Annexure-1)
Final takeaway
Only those PwBD candidates who obtain a fresh MCC-recognized disability certificate will be allowed to apply under the AIQ PwBD quota for NEET UG 2025. MCC has also indicated plans to expand the number of disability assessment centres soon.This new process ensures fairness, legal compliance, and a more practical assessment of whether a student can pursue medicine successfully.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
