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Synopsis

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently informed the Supreme Court of India that individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses will no longer face barriers to pursuing undergraduate medical education, provided they secure a competitive ranking in the NEET-UG entrance examination.

The announcement, which came in a recent report filed by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board of the Commission, marks a significant step towards inclusivity in medical education. The report stated, "The diagnosis of Mental Illness can no longer be a bar for eligibility to pursue medical education (MBBS) provided the candidate falls in the merit list in competitive entrance examination i.e., NEET-UG."

This decision followed a plea by an MBBS aspirant diagnosed with a mental health condition exceeding 40 percent on the Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS). The petitioner was not only denied reservation under the persons with disabilities (PwD) quota but also denied admission in a medical science course based on a disability certification board's opinion.

In 2019, the Medical Council of India issued admission guidelines allowing students with various disabilities to pursue a medical education, including physical disabilities, specific learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, mental behavioral conditions, disabilities caused by chronic neurological conditions, blood disorders, and multiple disabilities like deaf-blindness.

However, candidates with intellectual disabilities and mental health disorders faced a disparity in the allocation of quotas by the National Medical Commission. The 2019 guidelines did not provide quotas for students with intellectual disabilities or mental health conditions, citing a lack of objective methods for assessing mental illness.

Responding to concerns about equitable access to medical education, the Supreme Court directed the NMC to form an expert panel to explore new approaches for assessing disability in students with mental illnesses, special learning disorders, and autism spectrum disorders for MBBS admission quotas.

The recent report by an eight-member panel set up by the NMC reaffirms that mental illness diagnoses will no longer pose obstacles to candidates seeking medical education. The report also notes that quota benefits cannot be determined with existing assessment methods, suggesting that they may be considered in the future with improved assessment techniques.

The Supreme Court welcomed this progressive approach to inclusivity in medical education and allowed the petitioner to amend their plea to challenge the commission's updated guidelines on admitting individuals diagnosed with mental health disorders to MBBS programs. The court acknowledged the NMC's efforts in setting up an expert committee and releasing guidelines based on its recommendations.

The hearing on this matter has been adjourned until October 17, as the court continues to prioritize equitable access to medical education for all aspiring students, regardless of the nature of their disabilities.

Case Title: Vishal Gupta v. Union of India & Ors.