Anmol vs Union Of India 2025 INSC 313 - MBBS Admission -RPwD Act - 'Both Hands Intact' NMC Guidelines
"A prescription such as “both hands intact…” reeks of ableism “ : Supreme Court relief to candidate with disability who was denied MBBS admission citing NMC Guidelines.
National Medical Commission (NMC) Guidelines for MBBS Admission - In the guidelines “both hands intact, with intact sensations, sufficient strength and range of motion” are considered essential to be eligible for the medical course- This prescription of “both hands intact…” is completely antithetical to Article 41 of the Constitution; the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the salutary provisions of the RPwD Act. It also indicates a classification which is overbroad and glorifies ‘ableism’ - A prescription such as “both hands intact…” reeks of ableism and has no place in a statutory regulation. In fact, it has the effect of denuding the rights guaranteed under the Constitution and the RPwD Act and makes a mockery of the principle of reasonable accommodation- It propagates that persons with typical abilities and with faculties similar to what the majority may have or somehow superior- The “both hands intact…” prescription has no sanctity in law as it does not admit of a functional assessment of the individual candidate, a matter which is so fundamental in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. (Para 21,25, 35) [Context: SC sets aside HC judgment that had upheld the denial of MBBS admission to appellant who is a person with disabilities]
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 - Reasonable Accommodation -Section 2(y) -Flexibility in answering individual needs and requirements is an essential component of reasonable accommodation. There cannot be a “one size fits all” approach. (Para 20)