A higher bar will be set up for disabled students who seek admission in undergraduate courses in medical colleges. Medical Council of India (MCI) in a notification has recommended that the minimum degree of disability should be set at 40 per cent for people with disabilities to obtain the reservation. Those below the minimum requirements with visual or hearing impairment or both can be eligible for the course, but not reservation.

Ministry of Health has asked for public opinions on the matter. Many contest that the guidelines are in violation of the Disability Act. Since learning disabilities can’t be accurately quantified, it becomes unfair to some citizens. The upper limit of disabilities is 80 per cent. Times of India quoted the MCI notice as saying, “Persons with more than 80 per cent disability may also be allowed; but after their selection, their functional competency will be determined with the aid of assistive devices.”

National Testing Agency and MCI have been asked by the Health Ministry to allow such aspirants to fill up the NEET-UG application form. There had been a confusion about the eligibility criteria for physically handicapped aspirants. The last date to submit applications has been extended to 7 December.