The NEET UG disability certificate case reveals serious verification irregularities at AYJISHDD Mumbai, misuse of temporary disability status, and procedural lapses that threaten the rights of genuinely disabled candidates
Investigation by: Rupesh Kumar Singh
As the investigation into fake disability certificates moved into its next phase, we examined a disability certificate used for admission under the NEET UG quota. What appeared, on paper, to be a routine verification soon revealed serious procedural inconsistencies and raised troubling questions about institutional accountability.
The disability certificate under scrutiny was originally issued by the Civil Surgeon in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and later verified by Mumbai based Ali Yavar Jung Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan). However, a closer examination of the verification documents exposed multiple irregularities that cast doubt on the integrity of the process.
A Certificate Full of Inconsistencies
During verification, several discrepancies were observed that made the certification process highly suspicious.
First, the verification certificate did not mention the full official name of Ali Yavar Jung Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan). Instead, only the abbreviated form AYJISHDD was used. For a national level statutory institute, omission of the full institutional name in an official verification document raises serious procedural concerns.
Second, under the section titled тАЬName of the Designated Disability Certification Center,тАЭ the name of an individual doctor, Dr Shivraj L Bhimte, was mentioned instead of the institution itself. This is contrary to established norms, where the certification center must be clearly identified as the authorized institution, not an individual medical professional.
Third, the order of verification and authorization signatures appears to be flawed. Records show that the Director of the institute, Dr Suman Kumar, signed the certificate before verification and signature by the MS ENT specialist. Standard protocol requires that medical verification be completed first by the designated specialist, followed by final approval from the institutional head. Reversing this sequence undermines the credibility of the verification.
Temporary Disability That Should Have Raised Red Flags
An even more serious concern relates to the nature of the disability itself.
The student in question was certified as having a temporary disability, with validity only until 14 September 2026. This temporary disability certificate, originally issued by the Civil Surgeon in Gwalior, was set to expire within one year of admission to the medical course, which has a duration of four and a half years.
Under normal verification standards, students with short term temporary disabilities are usually rejected during admission scrutiny, as disability reservation is intended for long term benchmark disabilities. Despite this, the certificate was verified and accepted.
This becomes more significant in light of a judgment by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which clearly stated that individuals with temporary disabilities should not be treated as disabled for the purpose of reservation benefits. Despite this legal position, the certificate was approved.
DirectorтАЩs Response and Admission of Internal Irregularities
When contacted regarding these findings, the Director of Ali Yavar Jung Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), Dr Suman Kumar, stated that no wrongful act was committed and that all procedures followed applicable guidelines.
However, Dr Suman Kumar also acknowledged that some disability certificates had been verified without his direct knowledge and that copies of his signature had been misused in certain cases. He confirmed that a complaint regarding misuse of his signature had been filed with the local Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Notably, Dr Suman Kumar did not deny that irregular or wrongful activities may have occurred or may still be occurring within the institute. This admission raises serious questions about internal controls, oversight mechanisms, and accountability at a premier national institution.
NEET UG Disability Certificate: The Unanswered Question
The most critical question remains unresolved.
If a studentтАЩs disability expires on 14 September 2026, will that student continue to pursue medical education under the disability quota for the entire four and a half year course? Will the student effectively convert a reserved seat into a general seat midway through the course while continuing to enjoy benefits meant exclusively for persons with disabilities?
This question strikes at the heart of fairness in competitive examinations and admissions.
READ MORE: Ganda Hai Par Dhandha Hai Chapter 2: How a Fake Disability Certificate Stole a Deserving StudentтАЩs Future in Maharashtra
Call for Institutional Intervention
This matter demands urgent attention from the Medical Counselling Committee of India, which oversees NEET UG admissions, as well as the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Special scrutiny is required in cases where genuine disabled candidates may be deprived of their rightful opportunities due to loopholes in the system and the actions of a few corrupt individuals.
There is also a compelling case for an independent inquiry into Ali Yavar Jung Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) and the role of its administration. It must be examined how such irregularities occurred under the instituteтАЩs watch and whether systemic failures enabled misuse of disability certification.
Conclusion
This case is not merely about one certificate or one admission. It reflects a deeper institutional vulnerability where documentation, verification, and oversight can be manipulated.
When temporary disabilities are treated as permanent, when verification protocols are reversed, and when accountability is diluted, the biggest losers are genuine persons with disabilities whose rights are silently taken away.
The investigation continues.
To be continued.
