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| Supreme Court of India File Photo |
New Delhi, January 29, 2025 – In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has declared domicile-based reservations for postgraduate (PG) medical courses under state quotas as "unconstitutional," ruling that such policies violate Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to equality. The decision mandates that admissions to PG medical courses under state quotas will now be based solely on merit, as determined by the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scores.
The court emphasized that domicile-based reservations unfairly discriminate against candidates from other states who may have secured higher NEET scores. This ruling reinforces the principle of merit-based selection in higher education, particularly in specialized fields like medicine, where competence and qualifications are paramount.
In a significant clarification, the court stated that the judgment will not affect domicile-based reservations already in place, ensuring stability for current admissions and avoiding disruption for existing students. However, future admissions under state quotas will now have to adhere strictly to the merit-based criteria established by this ruling.
The decision is expected to reshape the landscape of medical education in India, fostering a more equitable and competitive environment for aspiring medical professionals. By prioritizing merit over domicile, the Supreme Court aims to ensure that the most qualified candidates, regardless of their state of origin, have equal opportunities to pursue postgraduate medical studies.
Legal experts and educationists have hailed the judgment as a progressive step toward creating a level playing field in medical education. "This ruling underscores the importance of meritocracy in specialized fields like medicine, where the quality of education and training directly impacts public health," said a senior advocate familiar with the case.
The decision is likely to spark discussions on the broader implications of reservation policies in higher education, particularly in fields requiring specialized skills and expertise. For now, it marks a significant victory for merit-based admissions, setting a precedent for future reforms in India's education system.
As the medical education community digests this ruling, aspiring doctors across the country are hopeful that the emphasis on merit will open new doors for talent, regardless of geographical boundaries.
