MP High Court Directs Fresh Counselling for NEET PG 2024 NRI Quota Vacancies

Court Directs Fresh Counselling for NRI Quota Seats; Revised NEET PG Timeline Announced on January 6, Last Date January 13

The Jabalpur Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the State Department of Medical Education to conduct fresh counselling for vacant NRI quota seats in the NEET-PG 2024 counselling without delay.

The court vacated its interim order issued on December 18, 2024, while dismissing a petition that challenged the procedure for filling such seats. The bench, comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Anuradha Shukla, found the criteria for seat allocation formulated by the State Government to be fair and reasonable.

The bench emphasized that it cannot interfere in the allotment of NRI quota seats under its Article 226 jurisdiction as the petitioner had not challenged the relevant rules. Citing Era Lucknow Medical College and Hospital v. State of Uttar Pradesh and others (W.P.(C) No. 833/2024), the court stressed the importance of filling vacant medical seats to prevent wastage during a period of acute doctor shortages in the country.

The court directed the authorities to organize fresh stray or special counselling for the vacant seats and complete the admission process promptly.

NEET PG 2024 Case

The petitioner, a candidate who cleared NEET PG 2024, alleged procedural irregularities in the seat matrix for NRI quota seats in private medical colleges. Specifically, the petitioner claimed that the 15% NRI quota was selectively applied to eight branches instead of all 22 branches, as mandated by the Madhya Pradesh Chikitsa Shiksha Pravesh Rules, 2018. This selective application allegedly reduced the seats available for students from reserved and unreserved categories in these branches.

The State, however, defended its allocation process, stating that the NRI quota is crucial for private medical institutions' financial sustainability and development. Private institutions, represented by Arvindo Institute of Medical Science, asserted that only 15% of seats are reserved under the NRI quota, leaving 85% for regular admissions, thus minimizing the impact on non-NRI candidates.

The court noted that Rule 4(2)(ga) of the Madhya Pradesh Chikitsa Shiksha Pravesh Rules, 2018, mandates a 15% NRI quota for all courses but does not specify branch-wise allocations. In the absence of a challenge to these rules, the court held that it could not intervene.

Referring to P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra, the court observed that private institutions have the discretion to allocate NRI quota seats, provided it does not exceed 15% of the total seats and complies with statutory conditions. The court dismissed the petition, concluding that the criteria for allotment were fair and reasonable and balanced institutional needs with fairness in admissions.

Revised MP NEET PG Counselling Timeline 2024

Following the High Court’s directive, the Directorate of Medical Education, Madhya Pradesh, has updated the NEET PG 2024 counselling schedule. Aspirants can access the revised timeline on the official website dme.mponline.gov.in.

NEET PG 2024 Key Dates:

Online resignation or admission cancellations: January 6 to January 13, 2025

Seat allotment results publication: January 7, 2025

Reporting to allotted colleges: January 8 to January 13, 2025 (11:59 PM)

Participation in subsequent counselling rounds: Open to previously unselected candidates until January 13, 2025, 7 PM

Candidates are encouraged to adhere to the updated schedule to secure their admissions.

Read More:

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