On 27 July 2026, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued new Guidelines on how candidates with benchmark disabilities are assessed for MBBS admission for the 2026 session. This is not a new exam or a new quota — it changes the process a Person with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) candidate goes through to be certified 'fit' for an MBBS seat. NTRUHS, the Andhra Pradesh counselling authority, has circulated this NMC notification on its portal, which means it applies to every PwBD candidate applying for MBBS/BDS seats through AP counselling as well as everywhere else in India. The biggest change: eligibility will no longer be decided just by looking at your disability percentage or category on your UDID card — a Medical Assessment Board will now test your actual functional ability to perform medical-student tasks. This article explains exactly what documents you need, what the assessment involves, and what happens if you're found ineligible.
From this session, a PwBD candidate's admission to MBBS will be decided by a functional ability test conducted by a Medical Assessment Board — not by the disability percentage or category written on your UDID card alone — and the certificate you receive is now formally called an 'Eligibility Certificate'.
What exactly has changed
Until now, a candidate applying under the PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) category for MBBS submitted a disability certificate, and admission decisions were closely tied to the percentage and category of disability recorded on that certificate.
The new 2026 NMC Guidelines say this cannot be the only basis for deciding eligibility. The Medical Assessment Board must now independently test whether you can actually perform the 'essential competencies' required by the MBBS curriculum — with or without assistive devices and reasonable accommodation — before deciding whether you get a seat.
The certificate you receive at the end of this process is renamed. What used to be called a 'Disability Certificate' is now officially the 'Eligibility Certificate' — because it certifies your eligibility for MBBS admission based on your functional ability, not merely the existence of a disability.
Who this applies to and the minimum requirement
You are covered by these Guidelines if you are applying for an MBBS seat under the PwBD category through NEET UG 2026.
To be considered under the PwBD category at all, you must have a benchmark disability of not less than 40%, as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. This 40% threshold decides whether you can claim the PwBD reservation in the first place — it is a separate question from whether the Medical Assessment Board later finds you 'functionally eligible' for the course.
You must also hold a valid Permanent UDID (Unique Disability Identity) Card, issued through the UDID Portal by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. This card is your primary document proving the existence, nature and extent of your disability — but it is the starting point of the assessment, not the final word on whether you get admitted.
- Minimum 40% benchmark disability required to apply under PwBD category.
- Valid Permanent UDID Card is mandatory documentary evidence.
- A defect in your UDID Card will not automatically disqualify you, provided it can be corrected and your disability is otherwise proven.
Where and how the assessment happens
The functional assessment is conducted by designated 'Medical Assessment Boards'. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has expanded the number of these assessment centres from 16 to 61 across the country, and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will notify any further expansion.
Before your assessment, you must submit a Self-Certified Affidavit declaring your functional abilities. This is not a single generic form — the affidavit format depends on the nature of your disability, so filling the wrong one can create problems at the assessment centre.
The Board can also ask you to undergo further clinical examination or functional evaluation if it feels this is necessary to decide your case, and it will verify your affidavit during the assessment.
| Disability type | Affidavit form to submit |
|---|---|
| General/any other benchmark disability (e.g., blood disorders like Haemophilia, Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disease, chronic neurological conditions) | Appendix-A: Self-Certification Form (General) |
| Hearing impairment | Appendix-B: Affidavit for Hearing Impairment |
| Locomotor disability — upper extremity (coordination-related tasks) | Appendix-C |
| Locomotor disability — lower extremity (stability-related tasks) | Appendix-D |
| Mental illness / Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) / Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) / Speech disorders | Appendix-E |
| Visual disability | Appendix-F |
What the Board actually tests — the traps to be careful about
The Guidelines are explicit that no candidate can be declared ineligible solely because of the diagnosis, the category of disability, or the percentage on the UDID card. Ineligibility must be based on an actual, reasoned finding that you cannot acquire the essential MBBS competencies even with reasonable accommodation, or that your disability creates an unacceptable and unmitigable risk to patient safety.
Reasonable accommodation is a key concept the Board must consider before ruling anyone ineligible. This can include assistive devices, adaptive equipment, digital accessibility tools, accessible teaching material, communication support, ergonomic modifications, exam accommodations, and accessible clinical learning environments.
The affidavit forms ask very specific, practical questions — for example, whether you can lift overhead objects, touch your nose with a fingertip, eat and dress yourself, hold a pen and write, hear and respond to speech in noisy environments, or perform tasks using a low vision aid. Answer these honestly and completely: the Board verifies these declarations, and the Guidelines warn that a false declaration in the affidavit can result in your admission being revoked later, even after you've joined a college.
The three possible outcomes of assessment
After the assessment, the Medical Assessment Board issues an Eligibility Certificate (Schedule-II format) declaring you as one of the following:
- Eligible — you can pursue the MBBS course based on your demonstrated functional competency.
- Eligible with Reasonable Accommodation — you are eligible, but the certificate will specifically list the accommodation(s) recommended (for example, a particular assistive device or teaching support) that your medical college must provide.
- Ineligible — the Board has recorded, in writing with reasons, that you cannot acquire the essential competencies even with reasonable accommodation, or that there is a demonstrable, unmitigable risk to patient safety.
If you're declared ineligible — you can appeal
If you disagree with the Medical Assessment Board's decision, you can file an appeal before the Appellate Authority constituted by the DGHS. The Guidelines do not specify the exact appeal deadline or format here — that will be notified separately by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) from time to time, so watch for that notification if you need to appeal.
The Appellate Authority can call for your assessment records, order a fresh medical examination by another expert, or seek additional medical opinion before deciding. It must also give a written, reasoned order. Its decision is final for admission and counselling purposes, unless overturned by a court.
What medical colleges are required to do for you
These Guidelines also place obligations on medical colleges and counselling authorities, which matters for you once you're admitted. Every college must work toward providing reasonable accommodation and barrier-free access, and must designate a Nodal Officer or set up a dedicated unit as a single point of contact for PwBD students needing clinical accommodations.
Colleges and counselling authorities are also required to maintain a time-bound grievance redressal mechanism for complaints about disability assessment, denial of accommodation, or discrimination.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Do I still need a UDID Card for NEET UG PwBD admission in 2026?
Yes. A valid Permanent UDID Card remains mandatory documentary evidence of your disability. However, it alone will not decide your eligibility — the Medical Assessment Board will additionally test your functional competency.
What is the minimum disability percentage required to apply under the PwBD category?
You need a benchmark disability of not less than 40%, as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, to be eligible for the PwBD reservation category itself.
Is 'Disability Certificate' and 'Eligibility Certificate' the same thing?
The certificate issued by the Medical Assessment Board for MBBS admission is now officially called the 'Eligibility Certificate'. It is commonly referred to as a disability certificate, but under these 2026 Guidelines its correct name and purpose is to certify eligibility based on functional assessment.
Which affidavit form should I fill?
It depends on your disability type: Appendix-B for hearing impairment, Appendix-C and D for locomotor disability (upper and lower extremity respectively), Appendix-E for mental illness/SLD/ASD/speech disorders, Appendix-F for visual disability, and Appendix-A (general) for any other benchmark disability such as blood disorders or chronic neurological conditions.
Can I be rejected just because my disability percentage is high?
No. The Guidelines specifically state that no candidate can be declared ineligible solely on the basis of the diagnosis, category, or percentage of disability. Ineligibility must be supported by a reasoned finding about your actual functional ability and patient safety, after considering reasonable accommodation.
What happens if the Assessment Board says I need 'reasonable accommodation'?
You are still declared Eligible, but the certificate will list the specific accommodation(s) recommended (such as an assistive device or teaching support). Your medical college is expected to provide this accommodation.
What if I disagree with the Board's decision?
You can appeal to the Appellate Authority constituted by the DGHS. The exact procedure and timeline for filing this appeal will be notified separately by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
How many Medical Assessment Board centres are there now?
The DGHS has expanded the number of designated assessment centres from 16 to 61 across the country. Any further expansion will be notified by the MCC.
What happens if I give false information in my self-certified affidavit?
The Guidelines warn that a false declaration may result in revocation of your admission, so the affidavit must be filled out accurately and completely.
If you or your child is applying under the PwBD category for NEET UG 2026, get your Permanent UDID Card in order first, identify the correct affidavit form (Appendix A–F) based on the disability type, and be ready for a functional ability assessment at one of the 61 Medical Assessment Boards — not just a paperwork check. Keep checking the NTRUHS counselling portal and the MCC's notifications for the specific dates, venues and appeal procedure that will follow this Guideline.
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