SC strikes down domicile-based reservations for PG medical courses, cites Article 14
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that domicile-based reservations for postgraduate (PG) medical courses are unconstitutional as they violate Article 14 (Right to Equality). The verdict ensures that admissions to PG medical programmes—under state quotas—must be based purely on merit, determined by NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) scores.
A three-Judge Bench comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, and Justice SVN Bhatti said all Indian citizens had the right to reside anywhere in the country and seek admission to institutions across states. The Bench clarified: “There is no concept of state or provincial domicile. We are all domiciles of India. The Constitution grants us the right to reside anywhere and pursue education freely across the country.”
The Supreme Court acknowledged that domicile-based reservations may be permitted for undergraduate (MBBS) medical courses, but not at the postgraduate level due to the critical need for specialised doctors. It held that any such reservation at a higher level would be discriminatory and unconstitutional under Article 14.
With this ruling, all state-quota PG medical seats will now be allocated solely on NEET merit, ensuring fair and uniform opportunities for aspirants nationwide.
- With inputs from agencies