NMC PwBD Guidelines 2026: Disability Assessment for NEET-PG MD/MS/DNB Admission

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued comprehensive guidelines for assessing persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) seeking admission to post-graduate medical courses (MD, MS, and DNB) for the 2026-27 academic year. These guidelines, dated 16 September 2026, establish a uniform, evidence-based framework across all medical colleges and counselling authorities in India. The assessment focuses on functional competency to perform essential medical tasks—not on disability percentage or diagnosis alone. Candidates with 40% or higher benchmark disability are eligible to apply, but admission depends on whether they can acquire the essential competencies required for their chosen specialty, with reasonable accommodation where feasible.

Who is eligible under the PwBD category?

To qualify for the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category, you must have a benchmark disability of at least 40% as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. This is not a percentage you choose—it must be officially recorded in your Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

Your UDID Card is the primary documentary evidence of your disability. However, the Medical Assessment Board will not decide your eligibility based solely on the category, percentage, or diagnosis shown in your UDID Card. Instead, the Board will independently assess your functional ability to perform the essential competencies required for the specific post-graduate medical course you wish to pursue.

Benchmark disabilities recognised under these guidelines include: locomotor disability (upper and lower limb), visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech and language disability, mental illness, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specific learning disorder (SLD), intellectual disability (ID), chronic neurological disorders, and blood disorders (thalassaemia, haemophilia, sickle cell disease). If you have multiple disabilities or a blood disorder, your case will be assessed individually.

• Minimum 40% benchmark disability required
• Valid UDID Card mandatory
• Disability percentage alone does NOT determine eligibility
• Functional competency is the primary criterion
• Multiple disabilities assessed case-by-case

What documents must you submit?

Every PwBD candidate must submit a self-certified affidavit declaring their functional abilities. The format and content of this affidavit depend on your disability type. These affidavits are provided in the guidelines (Appendix A through Appendix G) and must be notarised.

All candidates must submit Appendix-A (General Self-Certification Form), which asks you to declare your NEET-PG roll number, NEET score, disability type, disability percentage from your UDID card, any assistive devices you use, and your ability to perform essential functional competencies (communication, hearing, dominant hand functionality, understanding/communication, vision). You must also affirm that you possess the essential competencies for the post-graduate course you intend to pursue.

Depending on your disability, you must also submit one or more of the following disability-specific affidavits: Appendix-B (Hearing Impairment), Appendix-C (Upper Limb Locomotor Disability), Appendix-D (Lower Limb Locomotor Disability), Appendix-E (Mental Illness, SLD, ASD), Appendix-F (Visual Impairment), or Appendix-G (mandatory for all candidates—a declaration that you are not falsely claiming PwBD status). Each affidavit contains specific functional ability questions tailored to that disability type.

• Appendix-A (General Self-Certification) – all candidates
• Appendix-B – if you have hearing impairment
• Appendix-C – if you have upper limb locomotor disability
• Appendix-D – if you have lower limb locomotor disability
• Appendix-E – if you have mental illness, SLD, or ASD
• Appendix-F – if you have visual impairment
• Appendix-G – mandatory false declaration affidavit for all candidates
• All affidavits must be notarised
• UDID Card copy required

How is your functional competency assessed?

The Medical Assessment Board will evaluate whether you can acquire and demonstrate the essential competencies required for your chosen post-graduate specialty. These competencies are defined in the Competency Based Post Graduate Training Programme (CBPGT) issued by the NMC. The assessment is individualised, objective, and evidence-based—it is not a one-size-fits-all process.

The Board will examine your ability to perform essential tasks either independently or with reasonable accommodation and assistive technology. For example, if you are applying for a surgical specialty (General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, etc.), the Board will assess whether you possess fine motor skills, depth perception, rapid decision-making, and the ability to perform emergency procedures with speed and precision. If you have a visual impairment, the Board will check whether corrective lenses or low-vision aids can bring your vision to below 40% impairment. If you have a hearing impairment, the Board will verify that you can function with hearing aids or cochlear implants while maintaining acceptable and intelligible speech.

For non-surgical specialties (Dermatology, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Radiology, etc.), the assessment focuses on history-taking, examination, clinical observation, reading reports, documentation, and teaching ability. The Board will consider whether mobility aids, modified instruments, or reasonable workplace adjustments can enable you to perform these tasks safely and competently.

• Assessment is individualised and evidence-based
• Focuses on ability to acquire essential competencies for the specific specialty
• Considers reasonable accommodation and assistive technology
• Surgical specialties: fine motor skills, depth perception, rapid decision-making, emergency procedures
• Non-surgical specialties: history-taking, examination, documentation, teaching
• Disability percentage alone is insufficient
• Diagnosis or category of disability does not automatically disqualify

Specialty-specific eligibility criteria

The guidelines provide detailed, discipline-specific assessment frameworks. Specialties are grouped into four categories: (A) Specialities Requiring Surgical Skills & Manipulations, (B) All Other Specialities (except pre- and para-clinical branches), (C) Pre-Clinical Branches, and (D) Para-Clinical Branches.

For surgical specialties (Anesthesiology, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Otorhinolaryngology, Traumatology, Emergency Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine), candidates with upper limb disability are generally not suitable because fine motor skills and bimanual dexterity are essential. Candidates with lower limb disability may be suitable if they can demonstrate essential functional competencies and have access to orthotic or prosthetic support. Candidates with visual impairment may be suitable if their vision impairment can be corrected to less than 40% using corrective lenses. Candidates with hearing impairment may be suitable if they can function with hearing aids or cochlear implants and maintain acceptable speech. Candidates with mental illness, ASD, SLD, or intellectual disability are assessed on a case-by-case basis; they must demonstrate functional communication, ability to follow instructions, capacity to participate in structured learning, and ability to regulate behaviour in demanding situations.

For non-surgical specialties (Dermatology, Family Medicine, General Medicine, Geriatrics, Laboratory Medicine, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, Respiratory Medicine, Tropical Medicine, Community Medicine), candidates with locomotor disability may be suitable if they can perform history-taking, examination, and documentation with mobility aids or reasonable workplace modifications. Candidates with visual impairment may be suitable if vision can be brought below 40% using adaptive devices. Candidates with hearing impairment may be suitable if they can function with hearing aids or cochlear implants. Candidates with mental illness, ASD, SLD, or intellectual disability are assessed individually; they must demonstrate functional competency if present.

For pre-clinical branches (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Biophysics), candidates with locomotor disability may be suitable with ramps and adjustable tables. Candidates with visual impairment may be suitable if vision can be corrected to below 40% using digital microscopy or magnifiers. Candidates with hearing impairment may be suitable with hearing aids or cochlear implants. Candidates with mental illness, ASD, SLD, or intellectual disability are assessed individually.

For para-clinical branches (Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, Toxicology), similar principles apply. Candidates with locomotor disability may be suitable with modified labs and mobility aids. Candidates with visual impairment may be suitable with digital aids. Candidates with hearing impairment may be suitable with hearing aids. Candidates with mental illness, ASD, SLD, or intellectual disability are assessed individually.

• Surgical specialties: upper limb disability generally not suitable; lower limb may be suitable with prosthetics/orthotics; visual impairment suitable if correctable to <40%; hearing impairment suitable with aids/implants; mental illness/ASD/SLD/ID assessed case-by-case
• Non-surgical specialties: locomotor disability may be suitable with mobility aids; visual impairment suitable if correctable to <40%; hearing impairment suitable with aids/implants; mental illness/ASD/SLD/ID assessed individually
• Pre-clinical branches: locomotor disability suitable with ramps/adjustable tables; visual impairment suitable if correctable to <40%; hearing impairment suitable with aids/implants; mental illness/ASD/SLD/ID assessed individually
• Para-clinical branches: locomotor disability suitable with modified labs; visual impairment suitable with digital aids; hearing impairment suitable with aids/implants; mental illness/ASD/SLD/ID assessed individually

What is 'reasonable accommodation' and how does it affect your eligibility?

Reasonable accommodation means any modification to the learning or working environment, provision of assistive devices, adaptive equipment, or support services that enables you to acquire and demonstrate the essential competencies required for your course without compromising academic or clinical standards or patient safety. Examples include assistive devices (hearing aids, cochlear implants, low-vision aids, prosthetics, orthotics), adaptive equipment (digital microscopy, magnifiers, modified instruments), digital accessibility tools, accessible teaching and learning materials, communication support, ergonomic modifications, examination accommodations consistent with academic standards, and accessible clinical learning environments.

Before the Medical Assessment Board declares you ineligible, it must first examine whether reasonable accommodation, assistive technology, or adaptive devices could enable you to successfully pursue and complete the post-graduate course without compromising the acquisition of prescribed competencies. The provision of reasonable accommodation is not a dilution of academic standards—it is a measure to ensure substantive equality of opportunity. If the Board determines that reasonable accommodation is feasible and would enable you to acquire the essential competencies, you will be declared 'Eligible with Reasonable Accommodation' and the specific accommodation(s) will be specified in your Eligibility Certificate.

However, if the Board concludes that even with reasonable accommodation, you cannot safely acquire or demonstrate an essential competency, or if the disability poses a demonstrable and unacceptable risk to patient safety that cannot be mitigated through accommodation, then you may be declared ineligible. This decision must be recorded in writing with detailed reasons, objective medical and functional evidence, and a reasoned and speaking order.

• Reasonable accommodation must be considered before declaring ineligibility
• Includes assistive devices, adaptive equipment, digital accessibility, communication support, ergonomic modifications, examination accommodations, accessible learning environments
• Provision of accommodation does not dilute academic or clinical standards
• Ensures substantive equality of opportunity
• If accommodation enables competency acquisition, you are declared 'Eligible with Reasonable Accommodation'
• Ineligibility only if accommodation is insufficient and disability poses demonstrable, unmitigable risk to patient safety
• All ineligibility decisions must be in writing with objective evidence and reasoned order

Key principles that protect your rights

These guidelines are built on several core principles designed to protect your rights and ensure fair assessment. First, disability shall never be treated as a disqualification unless it demonstrably prevents the acquisition of essential competencies despite reasonable accommodation. Second, no candidate shall be declared ineligible solely on the basis of diagnosis, disability category, or disability percentage. Third, assessment shall be individualised, objective, and evidence-based—not based on generalised assumptions or stereotypes about disability. Fourth, the Board must assess whether your clinical condition is stable and adequately controlled; acute deterioration or frequent exacerbations that materially interfere with participation in the course are grounds for ineligibility, but stable chronic conditions are not.

Fifth, your functional capability with reasonable accommodation and patient safety shall be given paramount weight. Sixth, a communication difference shall not, by itself, be treated as an inability to communicate for the purposes of these guidelines. Seventh, the Board shall assess your ability to understand, retain, and follow instructions appropriate to the academic and clinical responsibilities of the course; the need for reasonable support shall not, by itself, constitute grounds for ineligibility. Eighth, the Board shall assess your ability to communicate needs, difficulties, relevant information, and safety concerns to supervisors, colleagues, patients, and the healthcare team; a communication difference shall not be treated as an inability to communicate.

Ninth, the Board shall assess your ability to perform expected academic and clinical responsibilities independently and consistently, with reasonable support where appropriate. The need for reasonable support shall not, by itself, constitute grounds for ineligibility. Tenth, the Board shall assess acute deterioration, frequency and severity of exacerbations or relapses, duration and predictability of episodes, treatment-related limitations, and any foreseeable interruption to training. Eleventh, if you have multiple disabilities or blood disorders, your case shall be assessed individually. Twelfth, your clinical condition must be duly established with a diagnosis (DSM-5/ICD-11) in accordance with recognised diagnostic and assessment frameworks.

• Disability is not a disqualification unless it prevents essential competency acquisition despite reasonable accommodation
• No ineligibility based solely on diagnosis, disability category, or disability percentage
• Assessment is individualised, objective, and evidence-based—not based on stereotypes
• Clinical condition must be stable; acute deterioration or frequent exacerbations are grounds for ineligibility
• Functional capability with reasonable accommodation and patient safety are paramount
• Communication difference alone is not inability to communicate
• Need for reasonable support alone is not grounds for ineligibility
• Ability to communicate needs and safety concerns is assessed separately from communication difference
• Ability to perform responsibilities independently with reasonable support is assessed
• Multiple disabilities and blood disorders assessed individually
• Diagnosis must be duly established (DSM-5/ICD-11)

The assessment process and the Medical Assessment Board

Every Medical Assessment Board shall discharge its functions fairly, objectively, transparently, and in accordance with principles of natural justice, equity, and the rule of law. You shall be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness throughout the assessment process. The Board shall ensure that no candidate is subjected to physical, environmental, communication, or attitudinal barriers during assessment.

The Board will undertake assessment in accordance with the assessment methodology prescribed in the Notification dated 12 March 2024 issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), these guidelines, and any other applicable statutory provisions governing the assessment of persons with benchmark disabilities. If the Board considers it necessary to determine your functional competency or the feasibility of providing reasonable accommodation, it may require you to undergo further clinical examination, functional evaluation, or verification as it deems appropriate.

You must submit a self-certified affidavit declaring your functional abilities in the format specified in Schedule-I. This affidavit will be verified by the Medical Assessment Board during the course of assessment. You shall not be denied consideration under the PwBD category solely on account of a procedural defect or discrepancy in your UDID Card, provided that such defect can be rectified and the specified disability is otherwise established in accordance with law.

Final eligibility shall be ascertained only after physical verification and functional assessment by the Designated Medical Assessment Board at the time of counselling/admission. The Board will issue an Eligibility Certificate in the format specified in Schedule-II, certifying whether you are: (i) Eligible; (ii) Eligible with Reasonable Accommodation (specifying the accommodation(s) recommended); or (iii) Ineligible (together with the reasons recorded in accordance with clause 11.4).

• Board must function fairly, objectively, transparently, and in accordance with natural justice
• You must be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness
• No physical, environmental, communication, or attitudinal barriers during assessment
• Assessment follows prescribed methodology and applicable statutory provisions
• Board may require further clinical examination, functional evaluation, or verification if necessary
• Self-certified affidavit required; will be verified by Board
• Procedural defects in UDID Card do not disqualify if disability is otherwise established
• Final eligibility determined after physical verification and functional assessment at counselling/admission
• Eligibility Certificate issued in prescribed format
• Three possible outcomes: Eligible, Eligible with Reasonable Accommodation, or Ineligible

What happens if you are declared ineligible? Appeal and review

If the Medical Assessment Board declares you ineligible, the Board must issue a reasoned and speaking order setting out: (i) the specific functional limitation identified; (ii) the essential competency affected; (iii) the objective medical/functional evidence supporting the conclusion; (iv) the reasonable accommodation and support considered; (v) the reasons why such accommodation or support is insufficient; and (vi) the specific basis for concluding that you cannot safely acquire or demonstrate the essential competency.

If you are aggrieved by the findings or decision of the Medical Assessment Board, you may prefer an appeal before the Appellate Authority constituted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, within such time and in such manner as may be notified by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) from time to time. The Appellate Authority shall independently examine your appeal and may, where considered necessary, call for the records of the Medical Assessment Board, direct a fresh medical assessment by an appropriate expert or specialist, seek additional medical opinion, or undertake such further examination as it deems fit in accordance with these guidelines.

The Appellate Authority shall pass a reasoned and speaking order, clearly recording the basis for affirming, modifying, or setting aside the findings of the Medical Assessment Board. The decision of the Appellate Authority shall be final for the purposes of counselling and admission under these guidelines, subject to any order or direction of a court of competent jurisdiction.

• Ineligibility decision must be in writing with detailed reasons
• Must specify functional limitation, affected competency, objective evidence, accommodation considered, and why accommodation is insufficient
• You can appeal to the Appellate Authority (DGHS/MCC)
• Appeal must be filed within time and manner notified by MCC
• Appellate Authority conducts independent examination
• Appellate Authority can call for records, direct fresh assessment, seek additional opinion, or undertake further examination
• Appellate Authority issues reasoned and speaking order
• Appellate Authority decision is final for counselling/admission purposes (subject to court orders)

Institutional responsibilities and grievance redressal

Every Medical College, Medical Counselling Committee, State Counselling Authority, and Medical Assessment Board must ensure that these guidelines are implemented in letter and spirit. Every institution must take appropriate measures to ensure that no PwBD candidate is denied admission or subjected to discrimination solely on the ground of disability, except in accordance with these guidelines and applicable statutory provisions.

Every institution must endeavour to provide reasonable accommodation, barrier-free access, and accessible learning environments in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the applicable standards notified by the Government of India. Medical Colleges are encouraged to undertake periodic sensitisation and capacity-building programmes for faculty members, administrative staff, and students to promote an inclusive academic environment and eliminate physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers.

Every Medical College must designate a Nodal Officer or establish an appropriate institutional mechanism (an enabling unit) to serve as a single point of contact to address PwBD candidates seeking clinical accommodations and to facilitate implementation of these guidelines. This unit must address various issues concerning PwBD candidates and reflect the institutional responsibilities emphasised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Every Medical College and Counselling Authority must maintain an effective, accessible, and time-bound grievance redressal mechanism for addressing complaints relating to disability assessment, denial of reasonable accommodation, or any act of discrimination against PwBD candidates. Every grievance shall be dealt with fairly, expeditiously, and in accordance with applicable provisions of law.

• All institutions must implement guidelines in letter and spirit
• No discrimination against PwBD candidates except in accordance with guidelines and law
• Reasonable accommodation, barrier-free access, and accessible learning environments must be provided
• Periodic sensitisation and capacity-building programmes encouraged
• Nodal Officer or enabling unit must be designated in every Medical College
• Nodal Officer serves as single point of contact for PwBD candidates
• Effective, accessible, time-bound grievance redressal mechanism required
• Grievances dealt with fairly and expeditiously

Important traps and things to watch out for

⚠️ TRAP 1: Disability percentage alone does not determine eligibility. Even if your UDID Card shows 40% or higher disability, you can still be declared ineligible if the Medical Assessment Board concludes that you cannot acquire the essential competencies for your chosen specialty, even with reasonable accommodation. Conversely, you cannot be declared ineligible solely because your disability percentage is lower than expected or because your diagnosis is not considered 'severe'.

⚠️ TRAP 2: Your diagnosis or disability category does not automatically disqualify you. For example, having mental illness, autism spectrum disorder, or a specific learning disorder does not automatically make you ineligible. The Board must conduct an individualised functional assessment. However, if the Board establishes that you have severe impairment in communication or comprehension that precludes meaningful participation in essential academic or clinical activities, or severe behavioural dysregulation that creates a demonstrable and unmitigable risk to patient safety, then ineligibility may be considered.

⚠️ TRAP 3: Procedural defects in your UDID Card can be fatal if not corrected. If your UDID Card has errors (wrong disability category, incorrect percentage, missing information), you must get it corrected before or during the assessment process. The Board will not reject you solely for a procedural defect if the disability is otherwise established, but delays in correction can jeopardise your admission timeline.

⚠️ TRAP 4: You must submit all required affidavits and they must be notarised. Failure to submit the general affidavit (Appendix-A) or the disability-specific affidavits (Appendix-B through Appendix-F) or the mandatory false declaration affidavit (Appendix-G) can result in rejection of your application. All affidavits must be notarised; a simple signature is not sufficient.

⚠️ TRAP 5: Your clinical condition must be stable. If you have a chronic neurological disorder, mental illness, or blood disorder with frequent exacerbations, acute deterioration, or unpredictable episodes that materially interfere with participation in the course, you may be declared ineligible. The Board will assess the frequency, severity, duration, and predictability of episodes.

⚠️ TRAP 6: Reasonable accommodation is not unlimited. If the Board concludes that even with reasonable accommodation, assistive technology, and adaptive devices, you cannot safely acquire or demonstrate an essential competency, or if your disability poses a demonstrable and unacceptable risk to patient safety that cannot be mitigated, you will be declared ineligible. This is a high bar, but it is not impossible to reach.

⚠️ TRAP 7: The Board's decision must be reasoned and in writing. If you are declared ineligible, the Board must provide a detailed written order explaining the specific functional limitation, the affected competency, the objective medical evidence, the accommodation considered, and why the accommodation is insufficient. If the Board issues a vague or conclusory ineligibility decision without detailed reasons, you have strong grounds for appeal.

• Disability percentage alone does not determine eligibility
• Diagnosis or disability category does not automatically disqualify
• Procedural defects in UDID Card must be corrected
• All required affidavits must be submitted and notarised
• Clinical condition must be stable; frequent exacerbations may lead to ineligibility
• Reasonable accommodation is not unlimited; patient safety is paramount
• Ineligibility decision must be reasoned and in writing; vague decisions are appealable

Frequently asked questions

These guidelines come into force on the date of their publication by the National Medical Commission (16 September 2026). If you are a PwBD candidate applying for NEET-PG 2026 admission to MD, MS, or DNB courses, you must familiarise yourself with these guidelines, ensure your UDID Card is valid and accurate, prepare and notarise all required affidavits (Appendix-A through Appendix-G), and submit them to the Medical Assessment Board at the time of counselling/admission. If you are declared ineligible, request a detailed written order and consider appealing to the Appellate Authority if you believe the decision is unjust. Contact your Medical College's Nodal Officer or enabling unit if you have questions about reasonable accommodation or implementation of these guidelines.