Case Note & Summary
The dispute arose from the High Court's judgment invalidating domicile/residence-based reservations for admissions to PG Medical Courses at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh. The appellant, Dr. Tanvi Behl, along with other candidates, challenged the High Court's order which struck down the provisions in the prospectus that allowed for such reservations. The High Court found that the criteria for domicile-based reservations were arbitrary and violated Article 14 of the Constitution, as they favored candidates based on residence rather than merit. The appellants argued that the High Court erred in its interpretation and that domicile-based reservations were permissible under the law. They contended that the Supreme Court's previous rulings did not categorically disapprove such reservations. The Supreme Court, however, upheld the High Court's decision, reiterating that admissions to PG Medical Courses should be merit-based and that the criteria set forth in the prospectus were invalid. The Court directed that admissions should be conducted based on merit obtained in the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The final decision emphasized the need for fairness in the admission process and the importance of merit over arbitrary criteria.
Headnote
A) Constitutional Law - Domicile/Residence-Based Reservation - Invalidity of Domicile-Based Reservation - Constitution of India, Article 14 - The High Court struck down domicile/residence-based reservation for PG Medical Courses, holding it arbitrary and violative of the right to equality. The Supreme Court upheld this decision, emphasizing that admissions must be based on merit, not residence. Held that such reservations are unsustainable in law (Paras 10.3, 11.1).
Issue of Consideration
Whether domicile/residence-based reservation for admission to PG Medical Courses is constitutionally valid.
Final Decision
The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision, invalidating the domicile/residence-based reservation for PG Medical Courses and directing that admissions be based solely on merit as determined by NEET scores.
Law Points
- Constitutional validity
- domicile/residence-based reservation
- merit-based admission
- institutional preference
