J&K BOPEE Cancels Six PwD MBBS Selections: GMC Handwara (5) and GMC Doda (1) Affected
Published 13 Nov 20265 min read
The Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (J&K BOPEE) has cancelled the provisional MBBS selections of six candidates admitted under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category. Five were allotted seats at Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara; one at GMC Doda .
Medical board reassessments found that the candidates did not meet the 40% benchmark disability requirement mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines. All six were provisionally selected in the first round of 2026 MBBS/BDS counselling, with the selection list issued on August 24, 2026 .
Key Facts at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total cancellations | 6 (5 GMC Handwara + 1 GMC Doda) |
| Selection list date | August 24, 2026 |
| Benchmark requirement | 40% disability (RPwD Act 2016) |
| Handwara medical board | Government SMHS Hospital, Srinagar |
| Doda reassessment boards | GMC Jammu (30%); SKIMS Srinagar (30%) |
| High Court order | November 2, 2026 (petition disposed) |
| Legal basis | Section 2(r), RPwD Act 2016; NMC guidelines dated September 16, 2026 |
Why the Selections Were Cancelled: The 40% Benchmark
Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, a "person with benchmark disability" is defined as someone with at least 40% of a specified disability. For MBBS admission, NMC guidelines require that PwD candidates meet this threshold to claim reservation benefits .
BOPEE had directed medical colleges to refer provisionally selected PwD candidates to medical boards for eligibility verification. When the boards found that the candidates did not meet the benchmark, BOPEE withdrew their selections .
GMC Handwara: Five Cases, Five Different Medical Findings
The five Handwara cancellations followed assessments by the Standing Medical Board at Government SMHS Hospital, Srinagar. The board submitted its report on November 7, 2026, which GMC Handwara forwarded to BOPEE on November 9 .
The individual findings were:
| Case | Medical Assessment | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
1 | Epilepsy on a single anti-seizure medication; no benchmark disability certification | Ineligible |
2 | Hearing disability ~28%; oral medicine/radiology ~20%; visual 0% | Below 40% threshold |
3 | Mental status/neurological assessment: no major psychopathology; occasional sleep disturbances | No benchmark disability |
4 | Orthopaedic assessment at Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla: normal limits, ~10% residual impairment | Below threshold |
5 | Ophthalmological examination at GMC Srinagar: visual disability 0% | Ineligible |
Based on these findings, BOPEE cancelled all five provisional selections at GMC Handwara . GMC Handwara subsequently issued an official order on November 10, 2026, cancelling the admissions ab initio (from the outset) .
GMC Doda: The High Court Route and SKIMS Reassessment
The Doda case involved a candidate whose visual disability was assessed at 30% by the medical board at GMC Jammu. The candidate sought an independent reassessment and approached the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh through a writ petition .
The matter was referred to SKIMS Srinagar, where a medical board reassessed the visual disability and again reported 30%. The report was submitted to the High Court in a sealed cover. On November 2, 2026, the High Court disposed of the petition, allowing BOPEE to finalise seat filling while considering the inter-se merit of PwD candidates .
BOPEE subsequently withdrew the Doda selection, stating that 30% disability does not meet the 40% benchmark .
What Happens to the Vacated Seats
Under J&K BOPEE regulations, cancelled provisional selections are treated as invalid ab initio. The vacated seats are filled by the next eligible candidate in the open merit category based on inter-se merit ranking. This ensures that MBBS seats are not left vacant.
BOPEE did not announce a fresh application or choice-filling window in connection with these cancellations [source article].
What This Means for Future PwD Aspirants
This case carries important lessons for candidates planning to claim PwD reservation in future medical admissions:
A PwD certificate alone is not sufficient. Medical colleges and admission boards conduct independent reassessments. If your disability is found to be below 40%, your admission will be cancelled .
Borderline cases (e.g., 35–39%) are at risk. If there is any uncertainty about your disability percentage, consider pursuing open merit admission rather than relying on PwD reservation .
Accurate certification is essential. BOPEE has recommended action against the Handwara candidates under Section 91 of the RPwD Act, which could include cancellation of their disability certificates .
Official Sources
J&K BOPEE official website: https://www.jkbopee.gov.in
GMC Handwara order (November 10, 2026): Available on gmchandwara.co.in
