Landmark Ruling on Medical Admissions
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that states cannot reserve seats in PG medical courses based on domicile. Admissions should depend only on NEET PG scores and merit.
Key Highlights of the Verdict
Upholding Equality Under Article 14: A three-judge bench, including Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Sudhanshu Dhulia, and S V N Bhatti, found domicile-based reservations unconstitutional. The Court ruled that these policies violate the Right to Equality.
Freedom to Choose Residence and Career: Justice Dhulia explained that every Indian citizen has a single domicile. Thus, people can live anywhere, work in any profession, and study in any institution without restrictions.
Reservations Allowed Only for MBBS: The Court allowed domicile-based reservations for undergraduate (MBBS) courses but not for PG programs. PG education is highly specialized and should prioritize quality over regional quotas.
Impact on Existing Reservations: The ruling will not change previously granted reservations. However, future PG medical admissions will follow the new legal standard.
Effects on NEET PG Aspirants
In 2019, a two-judge bench referred this case to the Supreme Court. It followed appeals against a Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling on admissions at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh. This decision ensures that PG medical education remains focused on merit and national interest.
The Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces the idea that PG medical courses must prioritize excellence and sets a strong precedent for fair, merit-based admissions.