NEET PG EWS Quota: Supreme Court schedules final hearing in April

Supreme Court posted for final disposal the petitions challenging the applicability of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) criteria of INR 8 lakh in NEET-PG 2022-23.

The top court of India posted for final disposal the petitions challenging the applicability of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) criteria of INR 8 lakh in NEET-PG 2022-23. 

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant said, “We will post these matters for final disposal in the month of April. We now have to hear the matter and everything is there in law. Parties concerned shall file their detailed written submission. We have upheld the 27 percent OBC quota and now we will confine ourselves to EWS criteria only,” as reported by NDTV.

Petitioners' advocate requests for hearing soon

The senior advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for MBBS doctors, has requested the court for hearing the matter as early as possible. He said the examination will be held in May and results will be announced thereafter.

“Please hear it sometime soon. Only EWS matter remains. If anything needs to be filed from the government side, then it should be filed in advance to avoid any adjournment. Pleadings are complete in the matter,” he said.

On February 14, Supreme Court had refused to entertain a plea seeking clarification on the applicability of EWS criteria of INR 8 lakh in NEET-PG 2022-23 saying it is seized of the matter and whatever it decides will be applicable. 

The court had said “We have not stalled the process of determining the EWS criteria for next academic year. We have said EWS quota will be as per our order. We have kept the matter in March for disposal. The process cannot stop. Whatever we will decide will apply”.

Read more:

• Centre to revisit INR 8 lakh criteria for determining EWS for NEET Counselling 2021
• NEET reservations: Centre justifies INR 8 lakh annual income limit for EWS category
• Supreme Court's final decision on EWS criteria will apply to NEET PG 2022