Now Reading: Supreme Court seeks Centre’s reply on NEET-SS percentile cut for Tamil Nadu doctors
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Supreme Court seeks Centre’s reply on NEET-SS percentile cut for Tamil Nadu doctors
Supreme Court seeks Centre’s reply on NEET-SS percentile cut for Tamil Nadu doctors
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to consider a plea by the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association for reducing the qualifying percentile for NEET-SS seats for in-service government doctors. A…
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to consider a plea by the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association for reducing the qualifying percentile for NEET-SS seats for in-service government doctors. A bench led by Justice P.S. Narasimha heard the application seeking the return of unfilled in-service seats to the state.
The association submitted that Tamil Nadu had earmarked 219 super speciality seats for in-service candidates for 2025-2026, but only 68 joined after two counselling rounds, leaving 152 seats vacant. The Centre said about 40 of the 152 seats transferred from Tamil Nadu remained unfilled. The association argued 111 candidates on the waiting list would benefit from a lower percentile, consistent with past practice.
The court posted the case for further hearing on August 31 and directed the Union government to decide on reducing the qualifying percentile. The association had also challenged the diversion of vacant seats to the All India Quota and sought protection of the state's in-service reservation policy.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The NEET-SS qualifying percentile for in-service candidates has been relaxed in previous academic sessions, but the current petition forces a legal test of whether states can compel the Centre to follow past practice. The 152 vacant seats represent nearly 70% of the earmarked in-service quota in Tamil Nadu, exposing a systemic gap between seat allocation and candidate eligibility. The key decision rests with the Union government: it can either lower the percentile unilaterally or face a court order. The August 31 hearing will clarify whether the Centre will exercise that discretion or leave it to the judiciary.
This case also tests the balance between state reservation policies and the centralised All India Quota system for super speciality seats. If the court directs the return of unfilled seats, it could set a precedent for other states facing similar vacancies.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
