Aadhaar needed during counselling for medical seats: Madras HC

The Madras High Court today made it clear that Aadhaar card and its photocopy are compulsory during counselling to medical admissions in Tamil Nadu.

Justice N Kirubakaran was passing interim orders on petitions alleging that students from outside Tamil Nadu were admitted to medical courses without any scrutiny of the genuineness of their nativity.

The judge directed authorities of medical education in Tamil Nadu to insist on production of Aadhaar cards.

The petitioners alleged that many students from other states have been allotted MBBS seats in Tamil Nadu based on nativity certificates obtained fraudulently, while adversely affecting the scope of students from Tamil Nadu to get admitted to the courses.

Earlier, a committee of advocates and government officials informed the court that a random verification of nativity certificates presented by 296 students admitted to MBBS (2017-18) courses in Tamil Nadu through National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) under CBSE category were found to be issued without any inquiry or scrutiny.

G Karthikeyan, assistant solicitor general (ASG), sought time to get the details of the persons who applied in Tamil Nadu as well as in other states.

After hearing the ASG and counsel for petitioners, the judge said, "It is stated that in all other states Aadhaar number of the student has to be provided in the application itself."