In Brief
The Supreme Court held that a candidate with a quantified disability at 40% or above should not be automatically disqualified from pursuing medical courses under the PwD category. While benchmark disability is 40% or more, the mere percentage itself does not disqualify. Disability Assessment Boards must examine whether the candidate can functionally pursue the course despite the disability, considering modern aids and assistive devices. The 'one-size-fits-all' percentage-based bar violates Article 14 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. Boards must record individualized opinions stating whether disability impedes course pursuit. The Court admitted the appellant, a student with speech and language disability, directing authorities to treat the admission as valid.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.