SC upholds JKBOPEE decision on MBBS, BDS admissions for persons with temporary disabilities

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has upheld the Jammu & Kashmir High Court’s ruling regarding the eligibility of individuals with temporary disabilities for MBBS and BDS admissions.
Reports said that the Supreme Court decision supports the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) stance that only disabilities lasting a minimum of 10 years qualify for reservation benefits under the Persons with Benchmark Disability (PWD) category. The Supreme Court dismissed the Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) filed by two of the five petitioners who challenged the High Court’s decision. The Court noted that it had extensively reviewed the arguments from both sides but ultimately found no grounds to grant relief to the petitioners. Consequently, the Supreme Court vacated the interim order and resolved all pending applications, affirming the High Court’s judgment. As a result of this ruling, the rejection of temporary disability certificates by JKBOPEE for disabilities under 10 years is now final, reinforcing the criteria for eligibility in the upcoming academic session of 2024-25.