Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 21-07-2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Petitioners – Anmol (and other intervenors); Respondents – Union of India & Others, including National Medical Commission (NMC), National Testing Agency (NTA), and other statutory bodies.
  • Intervenor: IA No. 220152/2025 filed by senior counsel Mr. Senthil Jagadeesan; IA No. 220153/2025 for appropriate orders/directions.
  • Nature of Proceeding: Review of compliance with the Supreme Court’s earlier judgments concerning the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, specifically the establishment and functioning of Disability Assessment Boards (DABs) for admission to the MBBS course.
  • Key Allegations / Issues:

1. Union of India’s affidavit (dated 14 July 2026 and an additional affidavit dated 14 July 2027) states only 33 notified DABs exist, with a proposal to increase to 43, but does not clarify whether each State and Union Territory has at least one board as mandated.

2. The affidavit is silent on the required composition of each DAB, particularly the inclusion of a doctor or health professional with a disability.

3. No information is provided on training and sensitisation of DAB members as directed in Om Rathore v. Director General of Health Services (2024 SCC OnLine SC 3130).

4. The Union has not explained steps taken to constitute an Appellate Body at the level of the Director General of Health Services, as required by Onkar Ramchandra Gond v. Union of India (2024 SCC OnLine SC 2860).

5. The affidavit does not address the establishment of enabling units at medical colleges to act as contact points for students with disabilities, as ordered in the same judgments.

  • NMC Submission: Senior counsel for NMC confirmed that the "Guidelines on Assessment of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PvBD) for Admission to MBBS Course, 2026" have been vetted, are being forwarded to the Director General, Health Services (DGHS), and will be incorporated in the NEET Undergraduate prospectus for 2026‑27 and uploaded on the official website.

Court Directions / Orders

1. The Union of India must file a better affidavit that accurately states the current number of DABs, confirms whether each State/UT has at least one board, and clarifies the proposed increase to 43.

2. By the next hearing, the Union must detail the composition of each DAB, ensuring that every board includes a doctor or health professional with a disability.

3. The Union must explain its plan for training and sensitisation of DAB members, as mandated by the Om Rathore judgment.

4. The Union must provide reasons for any delay in constituting the Appellate Body at the DGHS level, and outline steps to establish it as required by the Onkar Ramchandra Gond judgment.

5. The Union must address the establishment of enabling units at medical colleges that will serve as contact points for persons with disabilities seeking clinical accommodations.

6. All the above information must be filed in a detailed affidavit to demonstrate compliance with the Court’s directions for the academic year 2026‑27.

7. The matter is listed for further hearing on 28 July 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Final Outcome

  • The Supreme Court has not issued any penalty but has mandated that the Union of India provide a comprehensive affidavit covering the status and compliance of Disability Assessment Boards, their composition, training, appellate mechanism, and enabling units, with a further hearing scheduled for 28 July 2026.

Topics: Disability Assessment Boards, Medical Education Guidelines