Rapid Fire
SC Strikes Down NMC Rule
- 24 Feb 2025
- 2 min read
In Anmol vs Union of India Case, 2024, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled National Medical Commission’s (NMC) guideline requiring candidates with disabilities to have “both hands intact with intact sensations and sufficient strength” for MBBS admission as arbitrary, discriminatory, and unconstitutional.
- This requirement was held to be antithetical to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, Article 41 of the Constitution and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
- Article 41 secures the right to work, to education, and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
- The SC ruled that the functional assessment of a candidate’s abilities should take precedence over rigid eligibility criteria.
- The SC held that NMC’s Assessment Board failed to meet the standards set in two landmark judgments:
- Omkar Ramchandra Gond Case, 2024: It ruled that mere disability quantification is insufficient, functional ability must be assessed.
- Om Rathod vs Director General of Health Services Case, 2024: It emphasized opportunities for PwD candidates, prioritizing functional competency over physical attributes.
- The SC urged NMC to revise disability admission guidelines in line with the Constitution, RPwD Act, UNCRPD, and SC judgments.
| Read More: Enhancing Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities |
