Case Note & Summary
The Supreme Court addressed a series of writ petitions and special leave petitions concerning the admissions for NEET-PG-2021, where the petitioners sought to conduct a Special Stray Round of counselling for approximately 1456 vacant seats after multiple rounds of counselling. The NEET-PG examination had around 40,000 seats available, with an initial eligibility of 92,000 candidates, later increased by 25,000. The counselling process was modified to include four rounds, with the last round concluding on 07.05.2022. Despite the extensive counselling, a significant number of seats remained unfilled, primarily in non-clinical courses. The petitioners argued that the vacant seats should be filled to prevent wastage and allow candidates to gain admission. They contended that the Medical Counselling Committee had a duty to conduct an additional round of counselling, especially given the clinical nature of many vacant seats. The Union of India and the Medical Counselling Committee opposed the petitions, asserting that the remaining seats were often non-taker seats and that conducting further counselling would disrupt the admission process for NEET-PG-2022, which was already underway. The court emphasized the importance of adhering to the established time schedule for admissions to maintain the quality of medical education and public health. Ultimately, the court dismissed the petitions, ruling that granting the requested relief could adversely affect the integrity of medical education and public health.
Headnote
A) Constitutional Law - Writ of Mandamus - Relief for Vacant Seats - Article 32 of the Constitution of India - Petitioners sought a writ to direct the Medical Counselling Committee to conduct a Special Stray Round of counselling for vacant NEET-PG-2021 seats. The court held that conducting additional counselling would compromise the integrity of medical education and public health, thus denying the relief sought (Paras 11-12).
Issue of Consideration
Whether to direct the respondents to conduct a Special Stray Round of counselling for NEET-PG-2021 vacant seats.
Final Decision
The Supreme Court dismissed the writ petitions and special leave petitions, ruling that conducting a Special Stray Round of counselling would compromise the integrity of medical education and public health. The court emphasized the need to adhere to the established admission schedule.
Law Points
- Article 32 of the Constitution of India
- NEET-PG admissions
- counselling rounds
- public health
- medical education integrity
