SC cancels domicile-based quota for medical PG admission in country

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court cancelled the domicile-based admission to medical PG courses in the country. Despite the ruling, this year's admission will not be affected. Although the petition was filed challenging admission in Chandigarh Govt College, the judgment of the three-judge bench will be applicable all over the country. Presently the admission for PG is based on 50 per cent state quota and 50 per cent all India quota. The apex court on Wednesday took away this provision.

At the same time, the state quota of 85 per cent for MBBS admission will continue. The court clarified that there is no need to change it. Considering the importance of specialized doctors, the Supreme Court said that admission to PG studies should be given only based on merit. The court held that domicile cannot be a criterion for it.

A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Sudhanshu Dhulia and SVN Bhatti stated that residence-based reservation in PG medical courses clearly violates Article 14 of the Constitution. The court observed all as residents of the territory of India. There is no distinction of province or state domicile. There is only one abode, India.

• The judgment does not apply to students currently admitted to the medical PG course and those who are continuing their studies. Admission to All India Quota has been completed in Kerala.

• There will be equal opportunity to get admission in PG courses in any medical college across the country. The allotment will be completely done by the medical counselling committee.

• There are 64 PG seats in the Government Medical College, Chandigarh. 32 seats are allotted to residents of Chandigarh and those who studied in that college.

• The students from Haryana and Punjab approached the High Court and got a favourable verdict.

• The students of Chandigarh who got admission questioned this and reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled that there should be no quota based on residence but allowed the admission of the petitioners.