NEET Counselling: Delhi HC Rejects Plea Withdrawing Conversion of SC, Women Seats to General Category

The Delhi High Court bench notified that the rectification of a legal error on reservation in order to comply the constitutional principles before round 3 counselling process shall not be treated as a procedural violation on the part of the authorities. 

Delhi High Court has refused to grant relief to an applicant for National Eligibility-Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) as it upheld the Medical Counselling Committee's decision to withdraw conversion of SC/ Women seats to the general category seats before the counselling process. 

Refusing to extend relaxation to the NEET-UG candidate who was denied MBBS admission to Delhi University following the MCC's decision, the Delhi High Court bench stated that correcting a legal error on reservation in accordance with constitutional principles prior to the start of the NEET round 3 counselling process cannot be considered a procedural infringement or administrative error on the part of the authorities.

The Court found there was no error in the decision by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and Delhi University's decision to amend the conversion procedure that had originally advocated converting SC (SC-CW) seats into Unreserved (UR-CW) seats.

"Correcting an inadvertent legal error before the counselling process cannot be treated as a procedural violation or administrative mistake. The petitioners have failed to demonstrate the exceptional circumstances warranting interference. This case exemplifies the balanced approach of the courts towards disputes relating to reservation, giving primacy to procedural integrity and constitutional principles," said the HC bench comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma.

The petition before the HC panel was filed by NEET UG 2024 candidates who were eligible for educational concessions for admission to Delhi University under the Armed Forces Quota. Even though the information bulletin for NEET 2024 initially stated that the SC(CW) seats were going to be changed to UR(CW) seats during the third round of counselling, the procedure was changed prior to the third round of counselling, and the vacant ST(CW) and SC(CW) seats were reverted to the ST and SC categories.

Read more:

• Delhi Medical Colleges Mandate 1-year Bond Service for MBBS, PG Medical Students
• INI CET 2025 July Session Registration Ends Today @aiimsexams.ac.in; Generate EUC by April 25