Delhi HC Directs Indian Nursing Council To Raise Reservation Quota For Disabled

The Delhi High Court directed the Indian Nursing Council (INC) to consider the amendment in the BSc (Nursing) Regulations, 2020 to increase the reservation quota for the disabled in enrollment as soon as possible.

The court said that it should take the petition demanding this as a representation and decide on it within four weeks under the law. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora disposed of the petition.

A doctor Satendra Singh had filed a petition demanding an increase in the reservation quota for the disabled in nursing enrollment. He had challenged clause 8 of the ‘Admission Rules and Conditions’.

The bench noted that the petitioner has repeatedly asked the Indian Nursing Council INC for a response but hasn’t received one yet. They urged the relevant officer to address this matter promptly.

The petitioner requested new nursing rules aligned with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, providing reservations for identified persons with disabilities. They also suggested seeking public opinion before finalizing the rule.

The petitioner said that Section 8 provides reservations only for those with loco-motor disability of 40 per cent to 50 per cent at the lower level. But this section excludes other disabilities such as muscular dystrophy, dwarfism, acid attack victims, low vision, hearing impairment, speech disability, intellectual disability etc. from reservation. This section discriminates on the basis of disability without any valid reason.

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