Persons with temporary disabilities: SC upholds JKBOPEE decision on MBBS, BDS admissions

New Delhi, Sep 3: The Supreme Court of India has upheld the judgment passed by the Jammu & Kashmir High Court in favour of the decision taken by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) regarding the eligibility of persons with temporary disabilities for MBBS and BDS admissions.
The Supreme Court dismissed the Special Leave Petition (Civil) challenging the High Court’s ruling issued last year in W.P. (C) concerning the eligibility of individuals with temporary disabilities for admission to MBBS or BDS courses for the academic session 2024-25 under the Persons with Benchmark Disability (PWD) category, which falls under the Horizontal Reservation.
JKBOPEE Secretary Dr Shabir Hussain Keen said, “Aggrieved by the rejection of temporary disability certificates by JKBOPEE, the petitioners approached the Division Bench of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, which set a minimum period of 10 years for a disability to qualify as long-term and eligible for reservation benefits under the PWD category.”
He said that out of five petitioners, two filed SLPs (Special Leave Petitions) in the Supreme Court. The SLPs were heard extensively on multiple occasions. After considering both sides, the Supreme Court observed that no relief could be granted to the petitioners. While the Court condoned the delay in filing, it ultimately dismissed the petitions, vacated the interim order, and disposed of all pending applications.
Dr Keen added that with this decision, the judgment of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court stands upheld. The matter regarding the rejection of temporary disability certificates (less than 10 years) by JKBOPEE has now attained finality through the Supreme Court’s ruling. (KNO)