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Education
NMC Reforms MBBS Admissions to Prioritize Ability Over Disability
✍️ TOI India
🗓 28 Jul 2026, 08:34 AM
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The National Medical Commission announced a new policy for MBBS admissions that will assess candidates based on their academic ability rather than disability status.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced a revised framework for MBBS admissions that shifts the focus from disability status to the academic competence of applicants. Under the new guidelines, candidates will be evaluated primarily on their performance in entrance examinations and academic records, with disability considerations treated as a secondary factor.
The commission clarified that the change aims to promote fairness and meritocracy in medical education, ensuring that all aspirants are judged on equal footing. While the policy does not eliminate support for students with disabilities, it removes disability as a primary criterion for admission.
Implementation of the new rules will begin with the upcoming admission cycle, and the NMC has urged state medical councils to update their selection procedures accordingly. The move has been welcomed by several student bodies who argue that a merit‑based system better reflects the competencies required for a medical career.
The commission clarified that the change aims to promote fairness and meritocracy in medical education, ensuring that all aspirants are judged on equal footing. While the policy does not eliminate support for students with disabilities, it removes disability as a primary criterion for admission.
Implementation of the new rules will begin with the upcoming admission cycle, and the NMC has urged state medical councils to update their selection procedures accordingly. The move has been welcomed by several student bodies who argue that a merit‑based system better reflects the competencies required for a medical career.