In a representation to PMO in July, a parent sought uniform implementation of the SC judgement NEW DELHI: More than a year after Supreme Court ruled that residence or domicile cannot be the basis for postgraduate medical admissions under the state quota, parents of NEET-PG aspirants say admission rules still vary across states, leaving students with unequal opportunities despite having taken the same national entrance examination.The concerns stem from SC’s Jan 29, 2025, judgement in Dr Tanvi Behl vs Shrey Goel case, which held that residence-based preference in postgraduate medical admissions is not permissible. The court said admissions should be based on NEET-PG scores while allowing only limited institutional preference, meaning a student may receive preference for having graduated from a particular medical college – and not because he or she is a resident or domicile of a state.. Some states appear to have implemented the judgement, while others continue with different eligibility conditions.The dispute primarily concerns private medical colleges, where admissions are conducted through state counselling. Several states prescribe domicile or other state-specific eligibility conditions. “The intention of the SC judgement was to replace residence-based preference with institutional preference. Some states appear to have implemented the judgement, while others continue with different eligibility conditions. If these policies are challenged, the courts will decide whether they are consistent with the judgement. The Centre can still review the issue and issue uniform guidelines to states,” a health ministry official said.State counselling brochures for the NEET-PG admission process, reviewed by TOI, indeed show differences in eligibility rules. Gujarat requires additional state-specific eligibility conditions for some candidates who completed MBBS outside the state. Maharashtra allows only certain Maharashtra domicile candidates who studied outside the state to apply, while Karnataka permits candidates from other states to participate in counselling, though without Karnataka reservation benefits.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines Parents say these differences mean students with the same NEET-PG score may not have equal opportunity to compete for PG seats.In a representation to PMO in July, a parent sought uniform implementation of the SC judgement, a common national counselling portal and biannual NEET-PG examinations, arguing that students continue to face unequal admission opportunities across states. PMO has acknowledged the grievance, but no final decision has been communicated.Parents say the system also increases costs as candidates must register separately for multiple counselling processes, each with its own eligibility rules, timelines and security deposits. In response to one representation, NMC said domicile or residence-based reservation under state quota falls within the states’ jurisdiction and advised the complainant to approach the state or UT concerned. A similar representation to PMO in 2022 seeking uniform rules was closed after noting the concerns.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPrashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition DemandDelhi CM Fumes, Rekha Gupta Slams AAP MLA Over Viral Video; Eight AAP MLAs Marshalled OutKashmiri Pandit Employees Sent On Leave After Lashkar-Linked Threat Letter‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’123PhotostoriesIndependence Day 2026 ethnic ideas: Bollywood actresses to inspire your August 15 lookLung cancer is not only about smoking: Doctor explains the risks hiding in your air, home and daily routineExclusive – Khatron Ke Khiladi 15’s Ruhaanika Dhawan on being the youngest contestant, on-screen mom Divyanka Tripathi’s reaction to her stunts and moreBaluchari saree: The forgotten Bengali handloom that nearly disappearedKeto, Carnivore, High-Protein Diets: Can eating too much protein or too few carbs put your kidneys under stress?The tiaras of Brunei royals: A closer look at the lavish jewels behind their most iconic looks10 unique baby boy names that sound both classic and coolOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden secrets about approaching situations in life5 resume mistakes that could quietly cost you your next jobWhat happens when you put a sponge in the fridge? The simple hack that helps during monsoon123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani
NEW DELHI: More than a year after Supreme Court ruled that residence or domicile cannot be the basis for postgraduate medical admissions under the state quota, parents of NEET-PG aspirants say admission rules still vary across states, leaving students with unequal opportunities despite having taken the same national entrance examination.The concerns stem from SC’s Jan 29, 2025, judgement in Dr Tanvi Behl vs Shrey Goel case, which held that residence-based preference in postgraduate medical admissions is not permissible. The court said admissions should be based on NEET-PG scores while allowing only limited institutional preference, meaning a student may receive preference for having graduated from a particular medical college – and not because he or she is a resident or domicile of a state.
. Some states appear to have implemented the judgement, while others continue with different eligibility conditions.
The dispute primarily concerns private medical colleges, where admissions are conducted through state counselling. Several states prescribe domicile or other state-specific eligibility conditions. “The intention of the SC judgement was to replace residence-based preference with institutional preference. Some states appear to have implemented the judgement, while others continue with different eligibility conditions. If these policies are challenged, the courts will decide whether they are consistent with the judgement. The Centre can still review the issue and issue uniform guidelines to states,” a health ministry official said.State counselling brochures for the NEET-PG admission process, reviewed by TOI, indeed show differences in eligibility rules. Gujarat requires additional state-specific eligibility conditions for some candidates who completed MBBS outside the state. Maharashtra allows only certain Maharashtra domicile candidates who studied outside the state to apply, while Karnataka permits candidates from other states to participate in counselling, though without Karnataka reservation benefits.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
Parents say these differences mean students with the same NEET-PG score may not have equal opportunity to compete for PG seats.In a representation to PMO in July, a parent sought uniform implementation of the SC judgement, a common national counselling portal and biannual NEET-PG examinations, arguing that students continue to face unequal admission opportunities across states. PMO has acknowledged the grievance, but no final decision has been communicated.Parents say the system also increases costs as candidates must register separately for multiple counselling processes, each with its own eligibility rules, timelines and security deposits. In response to one representation, NMC said domicile or residence-based reservation under state quota falls within the states’ jurisdiction and advised the complainant to approach the state or UT concerned. A similar representation to PMO in 2022 seeking uniform rules was closed after noting the concerns.
