The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued a public notice regarding the eligibility assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) seeking admission to MBBS courses in Karnataka. The authority has directed PwBD candidates to undergo eligibility assessment strictly in accordance with the National Medical Commission (NMC) Guidelines on Assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) for Admission to the MBBS Course, 2026.

The notice refers to the communication issued by the NMC's Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) on July 30, 2026 and applies to candidates participating in Karnataka medical counselling under the CET-2006 rules.

KEA Makes 2026 NMC Eligibility Certificate Mandatory

According to KEA, candidates claiming a PwBD medical seat must obtain the Schedule-II Eligibility Certificate prescribed under the NMC's 2026 guidelines, regardless of whether they are seeking eligibility under the earlier CET-2006 disability provisions.

The certificate must be submitted to the allotted medical college at the time of admission. It should clearly mention the candidate's CET application number and NEET roll number.

PwBD candidates are required to submit the following documents:

• Appendix-A: Mandatory for all PwBD candidates
• Appendix-B to Appendix-F: To be submitted as applicable according to the candidate's disability category

NMC Introduces Functional Competency-Based Assessment

The revised PwBD assessment framework follows an NMC communication issued in July 2025 after the Supreme Court's judgment in Om Rathod vs. Union of India & Ors. (SLP (C) No. 21942 of 2024), dated October 25, 2024.

Following the judgment, the NMC reconstituted an expert committee headed by Dr. Achal Gulati to review Appendix H-1 of the 2019 Disability Guidelines and align the assessment process with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's notification dated March 12, 2024.

One of the key changes is the move away from a fixed disability-percentage threshold. Under the revised approach, eligibility is determined primarily through functional competency assessment, considering whether a candidate can perform the essential functions required during medical education and practice.

PwBD Candidates Must Undergo Medical Board Assessment

Under the NMC framework, PwBD candidates must complete several requirements before their eligibility can be confirmed:

1. Candidates must possess a valid UDID (Unique Disability ID) card issued through the prescribed UDID portal.
2. Candidates must submit the required self-certified Schedule-I affidavit, declaring their functional competencies relevant to their disability.
3. Candidates must appear personally before one of the 16 designated medical boards for verification.
4. The medical board will assess the competencies declared by the candidate and determine their suitability for pursuing the MBBS course.

The assessment may cover functional areas such as communication, hearing, vision, comprehension, and dominant-hand functionality, depending on the nature of the disability.

If a medical board determines that a declared competency cannot be demonstrated, it must issue a reasoned and speaking order explaining the grounds for declaring the candidate ineligible. Blanket rejection without justification is not permitted.

The guidelines also provide for a holistic assessment. If a candidate cannot demonstrate a particular competency but is able to compensate through another functional ability, the board is expected to consider the candidate's overall capability rather than rejecting the candidate solely on that criterion.

Admission Based on NEET Merit and PwBD Verification

Final admission of PwBD candidates will depend on their NEET UG 2026 performance, applicable reservation and category rules, institutional preferences, and the outcome of the designated medical board assessment.

After admission, medical colleges are required to provide reasonable accommodations and ensure an accessible learning environment for PwBD students.

Responsibilities of Medical Colleges

The NMC framework also places several responsibilities on medical institutions. Colleges are expected to:

• Ensure that PwBD candidates are not denied admission solely because of their disability
• Provide barrier-free access to classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels and other facilities
• Conduct sensitisation and capacity-building programmes for faculty and staff
• Establish a Disability Cell or appoint a Nodal Officer for PwBD-related matters
• Maintain an accessible grievance redressal mechanism

What NEET UG 2026 PwBD Candidates Should Do

PwBD candidates participating in NEET UG 2026 MBBS counselling should ensure that all required documents are prepared in advance. Candidates should keep their UDID card, Schedule-I affidavit, applicable appendices, and documents relating to assistive devices or functional support readily available.

Candidates should also appear before the designated medical board as and when instructed by the counselling authority. Since medical-board verification is linked to the admission process, failure to complete the assessment within the prescribed timeline could affect seat confirmation.

The KEA notice therefore makes it important for PwBD candidates seeking MBBS admission in Karnataka to follow the NMC's 2026 functional competency-based assessment process rather than relying solely on the disability percentage mentioned on their UDID or disability certificate.