Case Note & Summary
The petitioners, five MBBS graduates from Goa Medical College, filed a writ petition seeking directions to the respondents to consider them for admission to Post Graduate Degree and Diploma courses for the academic year 2015-2016. They had completed their MBBS degree and internship but their results were declared after the cutoff date for NEET PG counseling. The petitioners argued that they were eligible and the delay was due to the university. The respondents contended that the petitioners did not meet the eligibility criteria as they had not passed MBBS before the cutoff date. The court, after hearing arguments, held that the petitioners had completed all requirements and the delay was not their fault. The court directed the respondents to include the petitioners in the NEET PG merit list and consider them for admission, if otherwise eligible. The petition was allowed with no order as to costs.
Headnote
A) Medical Education - Post Graduate Admissions - Eligibility - MBBS Internship Completion - The petitioners, who completed MBBS and internship, sought inclusion in the NEET PG merit list for PG courses. The court held that the petitioners are eligible and directed the respondents to consider them for admission, as the delay in declaration of results was not attributable to them. (Paras 2-10) B) Constitutional Law - Right to Education - Reasonable Classification - The court rejected the argument that the petitioners were not eligible as they had not passed MBBS before a cutoff date, noting that the petitioners had completed all requirements and the delay was due to the university. (Paras 5-8) C) Administrative Law - Legitimate Expectation - The petitioners had a legitimate expectation to be considered for PG admissions as they had completed their internship and were otherwise eligible. The court directed the respondents to include them in the merit list. (Paras 9-10)
Issue of Consideration
Whether MBBS graduates who have completed their internship but whose results were delayed due to administrative reasons are entitled to be considered for admission to Post Graduate Degree and Diploma courses in the current academic year.
Final Decision
The petition is allowed. The respondents are directed to include the petitioners in the NEET PG merit list and consider them for admission to Post Graduate Degree and Diploma courses for the academic year 2015-2016, if they are otherwise eligible. No order as to costs.
Law Points
- Eligibility for PG medical admissions
- MBBS internship completion
- NEET PG merit list
- Interpretation of MCI regulations
- Right to consideration for admission
