The Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) Committee has issued a public notice for Physically Challenged (PC)/Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates who want to take part in the 85% state quota MBBS and BDS counselling for the 2026 session.
The notice, numbered OJEE/0383 and dated August 4, 2026, tells all Odisha domicile NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates that the National Medical Commission has issued fresh PwD norms. Candidates claiming a PwBD seat must now appear before the Medical Assessment Board of OJEE and obtain an Eligibility Certificate before counselling.
Key Highlights
- PwBD candidates must attend the Medical Assessment Board of OJEE at LT-II, SCB Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha.
- Required documents include the NEET UG 2026 scorecard, a permanent UDID card and notarised self-certified affidavits.
- Only candidates recommended by the Board will be shown PwD seat choices during counselling.
- The Eligibility Certificate is valid for the current academic session only.
- A fake UDID card or affidavit will lead to cancellation of the allotted seat and legal action.
- Candidates who do not attend the Board will not be considered under the PwBD category under any circumstances.
- The detailed schedule will be published later on ojee.nic.in.
Where PwBD Candidates Must Report
Candidates who wish to claim a seat under the PC/PwBD category in MBBS or BDS courses at government and private colleges under the Odisha state quota must visit the Medical Assessment Board of OJEE at LT-II, SCB Medical College, Cuttack. The certificate is issued only at this designated centre for state quota aspirants.
The decision of the Medical Assessment Board is final and binding, and final admission under the PC/PwBD category will be made strictly as per the Board’s recommendations.
Documents Required at the Assessment Board
Candidates must carry the NEET UG 2026 score card demonstrating eligibility for the MBBS course, along with a permanent UDID card issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
They must also submit a self-certified affidavit declaring their functional abilities in the format specified in Schedule-I, which the Board verifies during the assessment, plus the Self-Certification Affidavit at Appendix-A and a separate affidavit matching the candidate’s disability category in the NMC formats given at Appendix-B to F.
What Changes Under the New NMC Guidelines
The 2026 norms shift the basis of assessment away from arithmetic disability percentage. The National Medical Commission issued the guidelines on July 27, 2026, through its Undergraduate Medical Education Board, exercising powers under Sections 10 and 24 of the NMC Act, 2019, read with Section 57, and in furtherance of the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023.
Designated Medical Assessment Boards must now evaluate whether a candidate can actually perform the functional competencies required to practise medicine, rather than relying only on the disability percentage recorded on the UDID card. Candidates with a minimum 40% benchmark disability remain eligible to claim reservation under the PwBD category.
The Eligibility Certificate and Its Three Outcomes
The notice includes the full Eligibility Certificate format to be issued by the Board. It records candidate particulars, the nature of disability, a functional competency assessment against the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum, an assessment of reasonable accommodation, and a patient safety assessment.
The Board must mark one of three final determinations: Eligible, Eligible with Reasonable Accommodation, or Ineligible. The format states clearly that eligibility is not decided solely on the basis of the diagnosis, category of disability, or percentage of benchmark disability.
Warning Against Fake Documents
OJEE has cautioned that if the UDID card or affidavit submitted by a candidate is found to be fake, the seat will be cancelled and legal action will be initiated. The Medical Counselling Committee has issued a similar warning for All India Quota seats.
Odisha Counselling Schedule Still Awaited
OJEE has not yet announced the dates for Odisha NEET UG counselling 2026. The notice states only that the detailed schedule will be notified later on the official website. Candidates should complete their affidavits, notarisation and UDID documentation now, so they are ready when the Board reporting window opens.
Official Website and Important Links
- OJEE official website: www.ojee.nic.in
- OJEE MBBS and BDS counselling page: https://ojee.nic.in/couselling-for-mbbs_bds_courses/
- OJEE medical notices: https://ojee.nic.in/medical-notice/
- MCC UG medical counselling: https://mcc.nic.in/ug-medical-counselling
