Scrap quota in super-speciality medical courses: SC to govt

Bench observes scrapping reservations in higher education is in the nation's interest

A Supreme Court Bench on Tuesday directed the Centre and all state governments to ensure speciality medical courses are kept “unreserved, open and free”. 

Saying it was in the nation’s interest to remove all forms of reservations in institutions of higher education, the Bench urged the Centre to take required steps.

This observation was made by the Bench while delivering a judgment on petitions against some states allowing only domiciled MBBS doctors to appear for entrance exams.

Judges Dipak Misra and P C Pant said there should not be reservations in such courses on the basis of caste, religion, residence or any other criteria. 

The Bench noted that some privileges remained unaltered even after 68 years of independence and the government had not taken any action despite past reminders. “The fond hope has remained in the sphere of hope… The said privilege remains unchanged, as if (it is) to compete with eternity,” the Bench said. 

According to a Telegraph report, the bench cited two previous cases, including the Dr Pradeep Jain versus the Union of India and others. In these cases, the Supreme Court had said there should be no reservations in super-speciality medical courses and merit should be the sole criterion for admission. 

Referring to these cases, the Bench said it was “inclined” to convey the same message regarding reservations in higher education to the central and state governments.

An Indian Express report quoted the Bench as saying: “We echo the same feeling and reiterate the aspirations of others so that authorities can objectively assess and approach the situation so that the national interest can become paramount.”