The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed every medical college and institution under its regulation to constitute an “Enabling Unit” for students with benchmark disabilities, in a circular that cites obligations under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and recent Supreme Court directions.
The circular invokes Sections 16 and 17 of the Act, which require educational institutions to provide inclusive education, reasonable accommodation and an accessible learning environment for persons with disabilities. It also refers to the Supreme Court’s directions in Om Rathore v. Director General of Health Services & Ors. and a subsequent order dated 21 July 2026 in Anmol v. Union of India & Ors.
A Single Point of Contact
Under the new order, each Enabling Unit is expected to function as the single point of contact within a college for students with benchmark disabilities, coordinating support throughout their course rather than leaving students to approach faculty or administration separately.
The Enabling Unit is expected to:
- Facilitate reasonable accommodation, academic and clinical support measures, and barrier-free access within the institution.
- Receive and address requests for disability-specific accommodations, including during clinical training and internship.
- Publicise its role and contact details to students at admission and through the college website and notice boards.
- Coordinate with the designated Disability Assessment Board, faculty and hospital administration to ensure accommodation is implemented on time.
- Maintain records of requests and accommodations provided, while ensuring confidentiality and non-discrimination.
Compliance Made Mandatory
The NMC has told all medical colleges to ensure their Enabling Unit is functional, adequately publicised, and easily accessible to students with benchmark disabilities, so as to promote an inclusive academic environment in line with the 2016 Act and the Supreme Court’s directions.
The circular follows closely on the heels of the NMC’s separate guidelines revising how PwBD candidates are assessed for MBBS admission, suggesting a broader push by the regulator to strengthen disability inclusion across medical education, from the admission stage through to clinical training.
