NEET-SS: SC seeks reply on plea against 50% seats to service doctors

Tamil Nadu had issued an order in November 2020 that allocated 50 per cent of seats in super-speciality courses in favour of in-service doctors of Tamil Nadu. 

The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the Central and the Tamil Nadu governments on a plea challenging the latter’s decision of allocating 50 per cent seats in super-specialty courses in government medical colleges for in-service doctors of Tamil Nadu.  

A Bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and BR Gavai issued notices to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Tamil Nadu government, and others on a plea filed by some who participated in the NEET-SS-2021 exams. “Issue notice returnable on February 25, 2022. Counsel for the respondents are permitted to file a reply, in the meanwhile,” The Bench said. 

Tamil Nadu had issued a government order dated November 7, 2020, which allocated 50 per cent of seats in super-specialty courses in favour of in-service doctors of Tamil Nadu. 

Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that the petitioners had appeared for the examination on the basis of NEET-SS- 2021 Information Bulletin, which categorically stated that there would be no reservation of seats for super-specialty courses. The petitioners said it would be detrimental to the national interest to have reservation in the super-speciality courses. The Tamil Nadu government had issued an order, allocating 50 per cent of seats in super-specialty courses in favour of in-service doctors of the state in November 2020. 

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