Supreme Court Declares Domicile-Based Reservation for NEET-PG Admissions Unconstitutional
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has ruled. It stated that domicile-based reservation in postgraduate medical admissions (NEET-PG) is unconstitutional. The decision declares that such reservation violates the constitution. The verdict is expected to significantly impact medical aspirants across the country. It will particularly affect those applying for state-quota seats in PG medical courses.
Key Highlights of the Judgment
- Violation of Merit-Based Admissions: The apex court emphasized that medical education should prioritize merit over regional or domicile-based reservations.
- Equality Before Law: The judgment reaffirmed that reservation policies must align with constitutional principles, ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates.
- Impact on State Policies: Several states implement domicile quotas in PG medical seats. This implementation will now require a policy revision in light of the ruling.
Implications for Medical Aspirants
- Uniform Admission Process: The ruling paves the way for a fairer and standardized NEET-PG selection process across states.
- State Quota Reassessment: States that currently reserve PG medical seats for local candidates will need to revise their admission policies.
- Wider Competition: With domicile-based reservations removed, aspirants from all states can compete equally for PG medical seats.
Reactions from Medical Community
- Support from Merit-Based Advocates: Many medical professionals and students have welcomed the move. They state that PG admissions should be strictly based on NEET-PG scores.
- Concerns Among State Governments: Some states may challenge the ruling. They argue that domicile-based reservations ensure better healthcare access in local regions.
What’s Next?
- State authorities will reassess their admission frameworks in compliance with the SC ruling.
- Legal experts predict further discussions on how reservation policies should be restructured in medical education.
- NEET-PG aspirants must prepare for an open-competition model, where merit will be the sole criterion for admissions.
The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a significant shift in India’s medical education policy. It reinforces the importance of merit-based selection. It also challenges state-specific reservation practices.
