NMC Mandates Enabling Units in Medical Colleges for Students with Disabilities
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed all medical colleges in India to establish an Enabling Unit—a single point of contact for students with disabilities—to ensure they receive reasonable accommodations and barrier-free access to complete their coursework. The circular, issued on Monday, cites the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which obligates educational institutions to provide inclusive education and support measures.
The Enabling Unit will coordinate with the Disability Assessment Board, faculty, and hospital administration to implement accommodations such as standing wheelchairs for surgical disciplines. It will also maintain records of requests and accommodations while ensuring confidentiality to prevent discrimination.
Disability rights activist Dr Satendra Singh, who was involved in key Supreme Court cases on the matter, noted the delay in implementation: “It is ironic that we had to approach the Supreme Court to get a Supreme Court order implemented. The Court first asked the NMC to issue directions in 2024; the body complied a year and nine months later.” The matter is listed for hearing on Tuesday.
While the directive is hailed as a step forward, Dr Singh emphasized the need to define “reasonable accommodations” explicitly, similar to guidelines in the UK. He added that the Enabling Unit provides a formal mechanism for students to seek help, moving beyond the prior focus on admissions to what happens once students are enrolled.
