Landmark Judgment in Anmol v Union of India Strengthens Disability Rights
New Delhi, 21 February: The Supreme Court of India has reaffirmed its commitment to disability rights, directing the National Medical Commission (NMC) to revise its eligibility guidelines for medical admissions under the Persons with Disability (PwD) quota. The order was issued in the case of Anmol v Union of India, in which the court ruled in favor of the petitioner, Anmol, allowing him admission to a medical college despite the NMC’s restrictive guidelines.
The judgment, authored by Justice K.V. Viswanathan, builds on progressive disability jurisprudence established in recent cases such as Om Rathod v DGHS (2024) and Omkar Ramchandra Gond. The Court is set to monitor the NMC’s revision process in a hearing on 3 March.
Case Background: Discriminatory Medical Assessment Denied Admission
Anmol, a high-achieving student, had a 58% locomotor and speech disability. Despite qualifying for NEET-UG 2024 and securing a PwD-OBC reserved seat, the Disability Assessment Board in Chandigarh declared him ineligible. The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld this decision, stating it could not overrule expert medical opinion.
Upon appeal, the Supreme Court intervened, forming a six-member medical panel to reassess Anmol’s eligibility. While five members ruled him unfit, they failed to provide clear reasons. The sixth member, Dr. Satendra Singh, a disability rights activist, dissented, arguing that functional assessment and reasonable accommodations would allow Anmol to complete medical education.
Key Rulings and Observations
- Rejection of “Both Hands Intact” Rule
- The Court criticized the outdated requirement that medical students must have both hands intact with full sensation.
- This stipulation was previously struck down in Om Rathod v DGHS (2024) as ableist and a violation of Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
- Focus on Functional Ability, Not Just Disability Percentage
- The Court emphasized that quantified disability percentage alone should not determine eligibility.
- Boards must consider assistive devices and accommodations to assess if a candidate can perform required tasks.
- Importance of Experts with Disabilities in Assessment Boards
- Following Om Rathod, the Supreme Court stressed the inclusion of disabled doctors in eligibility panels.
- The NMC must form a new committee including disability rights experts to revise medical eligibility guidelines.
- Reinforcing the Right to Reasonable Accommodation
- The judgment reaffirmed that the State has a positive obligation to provide flexibility and support to disabled individuals under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
- The Court stated that “denying admission without assessing accommodations is a mockery of reasonable accommodation”.
Next Steps: Supreme Court to Oversee NMC Revisions
The Supreme Court will review NMC’s progress on 3 March, ensuring that new disability guidelines align with contemporary medical advancements and legal protections.
This ruling marks a major step forward in ensuring inclusivity in medical education, removing systemic ableism, and upholding the fundamental rights of disabled candidates.
