NEET UG 2026 PwBD Disability Assessment: Appeal Process & Medical Boards

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued an urgent notice on 7 August 2026 updating the rules for NEET UG 2026 candidates applying under the PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) category for MBBS admission. The notice introduces an Addendum to the National Medical Commission's PwBD Guidelines dated 27 July 2026, clarifies that temporary disability certificates will not disqualify candidates, and establishes a new appellate system for candidates who are declared ineligible by primary assessment boards. Five appellate disability assessment boards have been set up across India, and 65 primary medical assessment centres are authorized to issue eligibility certificates for the 5% PwBD reservation. This is critical for any NEET aspirant with a disability seeking MBBS seats.

What This Notice Is About

This notice is an urgent update from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for all NEET UG 2026 candidates applying under the PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) category. The National Medical Commission has issued an Addendum to clarify the Guidelines on Assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities for MBBS admission 2026.

The notice does three main things: (1) it clarifies that candidates with temporary disability certificates will not be automatically rejected; (2) it establishes a new appellate (appeal) system for candidates declared ineligible by primary assessment boards; and (3) it lists all 65 primary medical assessment centres and 5 appellate boards where disability assessments happen across India.

This is not a new application round or a change to seat allocation. It is a procedural update that affects how your disability is assessed and what you can do if you disagree with an initial decision.

Who Is Eligible to Apply Under PwBD Category

You can apply under the PwBD category for MBBS if you have a benchmark disability as defined by the National Medical Commission. Benchmark disabilities include locomotor disability, visual disability, hearing disability, speech disability, intellectual disability, mental illness, specific learning disability, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions, and blood disorders (thalassemia and sickle cell disease).

You must have a valid Permanent Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card or a Disability Certificate issued by an authorized medical assessment board. The key update in this notice is that you will NOT be rejected simply because your UDID or certificate is temporary. If your disability is progressive, non-progressive, or not likely to improve, a temporary certificate is acceptable—as long as the medical board verifies your disability status according to the assessment guidelines.

If you hold a temporary UDID with a disability condition recorded as 'likely to improve', the medical assessment board will re-assess you using the methodology prescribed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (as of 12 March 2024), in addition to checking your functional competency for medical studies.

• You must have a valid Permanent or Temporary UDID Card or Disability Certificate
• Temporary certificates will not automatically disqualify you
• Your disability must fall within the benchmark disabilities recognized by NMC
• You must pass functional competency assessment by the medical board

The New Addendum: Key Changes for Temporary Disability Certificates

The National Medical Commission issued an Addendum on 5 August 2026 to clarify Clause 9.2 of the PwBD Guidelines. The Addendum addresses a critical issue: candidates with temporary disability certificates were being rejected solely because their certificate was temporary, even though their disability was genuine and stable.

The Addendum now states clearly: A candidate shall NOT be denied consideration for MBBS admission under the PwBD category merely because the UDID Card or Disability Certificate is temporary, provided the disability has been categorized as 'progressive, non-progressive or not likely to improve' and is verified by the Medical Assessment Board according to the Guidelines dated 27 July 2026.

This change aligns with an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on 17 December 2025, which clarified that persons with benchmark disabilities should not be denied statutory benefits simply because their certificate is temporary in nature. The Addendum ensures that the PwBD admission process follows this same principle.

• Temporary UDID/Disability Certificates are now acceptable for MBBS admission under PwBD category
• Your disability must be verified as progressive, non-progressive, or not likely to improve
• Medical Assessment Boards will independently assess your functional competency
• This change is effective immediately for NEET UG 2026 counselling

Five Appellate Disability Assessment Boards: Where to Appeal

If a Primary Medical Assessment Board declares you ineligible for the PwBD category, you now have the right to appeal to one of five Appellate Disability Assessment Boards. These boards were constituted in compliance with directions from the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India (M.A. No. 378/2025 in CA No. 14333/2024). Each appellate board is located in a different region of India to ensure accessibility.

The five Appellate Boards are: (1) VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi; (2) Grant Government Medical College & Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai; (3) Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; (4) Madras Medical College, Chennai; and (5) Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER), Kolkata. Each board includes at least one doctor or health professional with a disability as a member, ensuring fair and informed assessment.

You must choose one appellate board when you submit your appeal. The board will conduct a fresh disability assessment and issue a final decision that cannot be challenged further. The decision will include your disability percentage and your eligibility under the PwBD category for NEET counselling.

• VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi — Nodal Officer: Dr. Piyush K Thayal (9899981466)
• Grant Govt. Medical College, Mumbai — Nodal Officer: Dr Gajanand Chavan (8355912891)
• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi — Nodal Officer: Dr. Nilesh Kumar (9889655100)
• Madras Medical College, Chennai — Nodal Officer: Dr. R. Sudhakar (9380745533)
• IPGMER, Kolkata — Nodal Officer: Dr Vasundhara Ghoshal (9874351897)

65 Primary Medical Assessment Centres: Where to Get Your Eligibility Certificate

To claim the 5% PwBD reservation for MBBS seats, you must obtain an Eligibility Certificate from one of 65 authorized Primary Medical Assessment Boards across India. These boards are spread across all states and union territories and are equipped to assess different types of disabilities. Each centre specializes in certain disability types—for example, some assess only locomotor disability, while others assess all disabilities.

The centres include major government medical colleges and AIIMS institutes. For example, in Delhi you can visit ABVIMS & RML Hospital or Lady Hardinge Medical College; in Mumbai, Goa Medical College or Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for Speech and Hearing; in Karnataka, five regional centres (Bangalore, Mysore, Hubballi, Belagavi, Kalaburagi); and so on. Each centre's specialization is listed in the official table—some assess all disabilities, while others assess only specific types (e.g., speech and hearing only, or locomotor only).

Before you visit a centre, check the table to confirm it assesses your type of disability. If your centre does not assess your disability type, you will need to travel to one that does. For example, if you have a speech disability and live in Jaipur, SMS Medical College in Jaipur does not assess speech disabilities, so you would need to visit All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) in Mysore, Karnataka, or Ali Yavar Jung Institute in Mumbai.

• 65 Primary Medical Assessment Boards across India are authorized to issue Eligibility Certificates
• Each centre assesses specific disability types—check the official list before visiting
• Some centres assess all disabilities; others specialize (e.g., speech/hearing only, locomotor only)
• You must obtain your certificate from a centre that assesses your disability type
• The certificate is required to claim 5% PwBD reservation in MBBS counselling

Step-by-Step Appeal Process: If You Are Declared Ineligible

If a Primary Medical Assessment Board declares you ineligible for the PwBD category, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process has seven clear steps, and you must complete it BEFORE your counselling round begins. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to appeal and cannot participate in that round under the PwBD category.

Step 1 is to submit your appeal by email. You must email both disabilityappeal-chair@gov.in and disabilityappeal-convener@gov.in with your appeal letter, supporting documents, and your choice of one of the five Appellate Boards. You must do this before your counselling round starts. Step 2 is scheduling: the nodal officer of your chosen appellate board will contact you with the date, time, venue, and instructions for your assessment. Step 3 is reporting: on the scheduled date, you must report to the appellate board with all your medical and disability-related documents. The board will examine everything during the assessment.

• Step 1: Submit appeal by email to disabilityappeal-chair@gov.in and disabilityappeal-convener@gov.in BEFORE your counselling round begins
• Step 2: Appellate board nodal officer will schedule your assessment date, time, and venue
• Step 3: Report to the appellate board on the scheduled date with all medical and disability documents
• Step 4: Appellate board conducts disability assessment using DEPwD Guidelines 2024; may co-opt specialist members if needed
• Step 5: Board issues final decision with disability percentage and PwBD eligibility status—this decision is final and cannot be appealed
• Step 6: Board communicates decision to MCC and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
• Step 7: You proceed with NEET counselling based on the appellate board's final decision

Important Dates and Deadlines

The most critical deadline is that you must submit your appeal BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF YOUR RESPECTIVE ROUND OF NEET COUNSELLING. This means if you are declared ineligible by a primary board and want to appeal, you must email your appeal before your counselling round opens. Once your round begins, you cannot submit an appeal.

The notice does not specify exact dates for when each counselling round will begin. You must check the MCC website (mcc.nic.in) or the NEET UG 2026 counselling portal regularly to find out when your round is scheduled. As soon as you know your round date, mark it on your calendar and ensure your appeal is submitted well before that date.

The notice was posted on 7 August 2026. The Addendum clarifying the temporary certificate rule was issued on 5 August 2026. Both are effective immediately for NEET UG 2026 counselling.

• Appeal must be submitted BEFORE your counselling round begins—no exceptions
• Check MCC website for your counselling round schedule
• Submit appeal at least 2-3 days before your round to allow time for processing
• Appellate board will schedule your assessment based on your availability
• Final decision from appellate board is issued before you enter counselling

Documents You Need for Disability Assessment

When you report to either a Primary Medical Assessment Board (to get your initial Eligibility Certificate) or an Appellate Board (to appeal an ineligibility decision), you must bring all relevant medical and disability-related documents. The notice does not provide an exhaustive list, but based on standard practice, you should bring: your UDID Card (Permanent or Temporary), your existing Disability Certificate (if any), medical reports from doctors who have treated your condition, diagnostic test reports (X-rays, scans, blood tests, hearing tests, vision tests, etc. depending on your disability type), and any other evidence of your disability.

For specific disability types, certain documents are especially important. For visual disability, bring your latest eye prescription and any reports from ophthalmologists. For hearing disability, bring audiometry reports. For locomotor disability, bring orthopedic reports and imaging. For speech/hearing disabilities, bring speech and language pathology reports. For mental health conditions, bring psychiatric reports. For learning disabilities, bring psychoeducational assessments. For blood disorders, bring hematology reports.

The notice specifically mentions that for visual disability candidates who use Low Vision Aids (LVAs), you may bring your own LVAs to the assessment, which can be checked by the board. This is important if you use glasses, contact lenses, magnifying devices, or other visual aids—bring them with you.

• Permanent or Temporary UDID Card (mandatory)
• Existing Disability Certificate from any previous assessment
• Medical reports from treating doctors
• Diagnostic test reports (imaging, lab tests, audiometry, vision tests, etc.)
• For visual disability: eye prescription, ophthalmology reports, and any Low Vision Aids you use
• For hearing disability: audiometry and speech-language pathology reports
• For locomotor disability: orthopedic reports and imaging
• For mental health/psychiatric conditions: psychiatric evaluation reports
• For learning disabilities: psychoeducational assessment reports
• For blood disorders: hematology and relevant lab reports
• Any other medical evidence supporting your disability claim

Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

⚠️ TRAP 1: Submitting your appeal AFTER your counselling round has begun. The notice is very clear: appeals must be submitted 'before the commencement of their respective round of NEET counselling.' If you miss this deadline, your appeal will not be accepted, and you cannot participate in that round under the PwBD category. Check the MCC website for your round schedule and submit your appeal at least 2-3 days early.

⚠️ TRAP 2: Visiting a Primary Assessment Board that does not assess your disability type. For example, if you have a speech disability and visit SMS Medical College in Jaipur, they will reject you because they do not assess speech disabilities. Before you go for assessment, check the official list of 65 centres and confirm that your chosen centre assesses your specific disability type. If it does not, travel to one that does.

⚠️ TRAP 3: Not bringing all required medical documents. If you show up for assessment without your UDID Card, disability certificate, or medical reports, the board may declare you ineligible on the spot. Gather all documents before your appointment and bring originals plus photocopies.

⚠️ TRAP 4: Assuming a temporary disability certificate will automatically disqualify you. This is no longer true. The Addendum clarifies that temporary certificates are acceptable as long as your disability is verified as progressive, non-progressive, or not likely to improve. However, the board will still assess your functional competency for medical studies—a temporary certificate does not guarantee eligibility.

⚠️ TRAP 5: Not choosing an appellate board when submitting your appeal. You must specify which of the five appellate boards you want to appeal to. If you do not choose, your appeal may be rejected or delayed. Choose the board closest to your location for convenience.

Contact Information for Appellate Boards

If you need to submit an appeal or have questions about the appellate process, use these email addresses and phone numbers. All appeals must be sent to both email addresses listed below. The nodal officers for each appellate board are also listed—you can call them to ask questions about scheduling or procedures.

For general inquiries about the PwBD guidelines and assessment process, you can contact the Medical Counselling Committee at adgme@nic.in (the email listed on the notice). However, for appeals specifically, use the two disability appeal email addresses.

• Appeal Email 1: disabilityappeal-chair@gov.in
• Appeal Email 2: disabilityappeal-convener@gov.in
• General MCC Email: adgme@nic.in
• VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital (Delhi): Dr. Piyush K Thayal – 9899981466
• Grant Govt. Medical College (Mumbai): Dr Gajanand Chavan – 8355912891
• Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi): Dr. Nilesh Kumar – 9889655100
• Madras Medical College (Chennai): Dr. R. Sudhakar – 9380745533
• IPGMER (Kolkata): Dr Vasundhara Ghoshal – 9874351897

Frequently asked questions

If you have a disability and are applying for MBBS under the PwBD category in NEET UG 2026, take these three immediate steps: (1) Check the list of 65 Primary Medical Assessment Boards and visit one that assesses your disability type to obtain your Eligibility Certificate. (2) If you are declared ineligible by a primary board, submit your appeal to one of the five Appellate Boards BEFORE your counselling round begins—use the email addresses disabilityappeal-chair@gov.in and disabilityappeal-convener@gov.in. (3) Remember that temporary disability certificates are now acceptable, so do not assume you will be rejected. The appellate process is your safety net if the primary assessment goes wrong. Act quickly and do not miss the appeal deadline.