Latest news with #UniqueDisabilityIdentityCard
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
NMC issues interim guidelines for MBBS admissions of students with disabilities
NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) on Saturday announced interim guideline for admission in MBBS courses for students with disabilities and directed them to submit self-certified affidavits evaluating their functional abilities. While the Unique Disability Identity Cards (UDID) have been established as a mandatory for persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD), they must also report to designated medical board – just 16 and not in all states – for verification of their self-certified affidavit. The guidelines came as the NEET-UG counselling will begin on Monday. Two days ago, this newspaper broke the story that thousands of medical students with disabilities are in dilemma as they await revised admission guidelines, as mandated by the top court in its various orders. As per the interim guidelines, an aspirant with a locomotor disability and stability issues will have to give a self-attested affidavit about their functional abilities, whether they can bear their weight and stand on their affected leg; walk on plain surfaces; sit in a chair on their own; climb stairs and turn right and left sides on their own, etc. 'As per the Interim Guidelines, PwBD must submit a valid UDID issued by a designated medical authority under Ministry of Social Justice; self-certified affidavits; and the candidate will have to report to the designated medical board (16) for verification of their self-certified affidavit,' Dr Raghav Langer, Secretary, NMC, said in a public notice, adding these boards will verify a candidate's self-certified affidavits and evaluate their functional abilities. The interim guidelines said the NMC has undertaken proactive measures to ease challenges faced by PwBD candidates, ensuring a fair and inclusive medical education environment. This includes facilitating accommodations, revisiting eligibility norms, and adopting evaluation criteria focused on individual capabilities. The guideline also said institutions must ensure no student with a disability is denied admission on the grounds of disability; provided barrier-free access to buildings, classrooms, libraries, laboratories, hostels, and other facilities as per standards notified by the Centre. For counselling Unique Disability Identity Card made mandatory Self-certified affidavits evaluating functional abilities mandatory Report to 16 designated medical boards for affidavit verification Directions to institutions Ensure no student with disability is denied admission Provide barrier-free access to classrooms, libraries, labs, hostels, etc. Appoint nodal officer/establish disability cell to address student concerns Set up grievance redressal mechanism
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Principal District Judge announces medical examination for Divyang children at home
In a move to help Divyang (physically challenged) children who have severe motor disabilities to get their disability certificates, their medical examinations will henceforth be conducted at their homes. Justice Mahendra K Mahajan, principal district and sessions judge, Pune, made this announcement while speaking at the special camp for distribution of Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) organized by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) on Sunday. He asked parents of such children to contact the DLSA for the same. Judge Sonal Patil, secretary of DLSA Pune, while speaking to The Indian Express, said the camp was organized to distribute UDID to children from aged 18 and below. 'Some parents contacted us and said they are unable to get their children as they are severely challenged for movement. Honorable Principal and Sessions Judge then asked us to ensure such children are medically checked at their home,' she said. Judge Patil said earlier doctors who conducted the tests had said the existing legal network does not allow them to go to the homes of the children for any such check-up. Patil also asked parents of such children to conduct the DLSA for conducting such tests at home. She even confirmed that the vehicle and team would be sent, even if there is one such child who requires medical examination. UDID is the identification card given to Divyangs, which allows them to access government facilities. Before the card is issued, a thorough physical examination is done by the district civil surgeon who is stationed at the Aundh District Hospital in Pune. Check-ups are done at government hospitals where the tests are carried out. Patil said they will arrange for the team and ensure the tests are conducted on time. The camp saw more than 100 Divyang being checked and over 500 people benefiting from the camp.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Pondicherry University's UPSC coaching for People with Disabilities, deadline pushed to June 10
Pondicherry University has extended the deadline for applying for the year-long free UPSC coaching programme, exclusively for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to June 10. A press note from the University said interested persons with disabilities can apply by filling up the Google form and uploading the required supportive documents on or before the stipulated last date. The course jointly organised by the Higher Education for Persons with Special Needs (HEPSN) and the Centre for Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI) of Pondicherry University is financially aided by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Only selected candidates will be intimated to join the classes. A high-level selection committee has been nominated to carry out admissions and the decision of the committee will be final. The course is open to PWDs aged 20 to 41 years, with an annual family income of less than ₹8 lakh, who have completed a degree, or are set to appear/appeared for their final semester and those having a Unique Disability Identity Card. The entire coaching will be provided through physical mode only. Accommodation will be arranged inside the university campus for outstation candidates, the University said.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Free UPSC coaching for persons with disabilities at Pondicherry University
The Higher Education for Persons with Special Needs (HEPSN) and the Centre for Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI) of Pondicherry University propose to organise a 12-month, free-of-cost UPSC coaching programme exclusively for persons with disabilities (PWDs). According to a press note, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, will render financial support for the programme. The launch of the initiative is scheduled for May 29 on the university campus. The entire coaching will be provided through physical mode only. The course is open to PWDs aged 20 to 41 years, with annual family income of less than ₹8 lakh, who have completed a degree, or are set to appear/appeared for their final semester and those having a Unique Disability Identity Card. Accommodation will be arranged inside the university campus for outstation candidates. Those who are selected shall get an exposure to training from qualified experts, 24×7 free accessible library of Pondicherry University and a monthly stipend of ₹6,000 which shall be transferred to participants' respective bank account on a quarterly basis. Interested persons with disabilities are invited to apply by filling up the google form by uploading the required supportive documents on or before May 25, 2025. Only selected candidates will be intimated to join the classes. Classes are expected to start by the end of May or the first week of June. A high-level selection committee has been nominated to carryout the selection process and the decision of the committee will be final. A. Chidambaram, coordinator of HEPSN, is the Nodal Officer for the programme while G. Madan Mohan, professor, Department of Management Studies, is the programme coordinator. For clarifications, interested persons can mail to or call 9994037077/9442314404, the press note said.
