SC Strikes Down 'Both Hands Intact' Rule for MBBS
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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Eligibility Rule: BEFORE, NMC guidelines strictly mandated that medical candidates must have 'both hands intact, with intact sensation and sufficient strength'. NOW, this rule is struck down as arbitrary and unconstitutional.
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Assessment Method: BEFORE, medical fitness for PwD candidates was based on rigid physical quantification and anatomical wholeness. NOW, medical boards must prioritize a candidate's 'functional competency' instead of applying a one-size-fits-all physical benchmark.
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Accommodation: BEFORE, there was little consideration for how disabled candidates could perform medical duties. NOW, the evaluation must consider clinical accommodations and modern assistive technologies, noting that many medical fields do not require surgical dexterity.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Which of the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's February 2025 judgment on MBBS admissions for PwD candidates is/are correct? 1. The Supreme Court upheld the National Medical Commission's rule requiring MBBS candidates to have both hands intact to ensure surgical safety. 2. The Court ruled that rigid physical requirements violate the principle of reasonable accommodation under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.