10% EWS reservation in AIQ seats not permissible without SC approval: Madras HC

Madras High Court said the 10% reservation for EWS in AIQ approved by the central government is not permissible without Supreme Court approval.

While pronouncing judgement on Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) contempt plea over Other Backward Class (OBC) reservations in All India Quota (AIQ) medical seats, the Madras High Court said that the 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in AIQ is not permissible without the approval of Supreme Court.

On July 29, the central government had approved 27% reservation for OBC and 10% for EWS in AIQ medical seats from the current academic session of 2021-22.

Today, the Madras High Court said that 27% reservation for OBCs in AIQ seats surrendered by the Tamil Nadu government for admission to medical courses is permissible and it need not provide 50% reservation as followed in the state. However, the court noted that the 10% EWS quota is impermissible as it crossed the 50% cap fixed by the Supreme Court on the reservation.

After the central government had approved reservations under AIQ, the National Testing Agency (NTA) which conducts the national level medical exam National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), had issued a revised notification mentioning the revised quotas. Moreover, the National Board of Examinations (NBE), which conducts NEET PG issued notice and extended the registration window of the exam to help OBC and EWS students.

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