NEET PG Counselling 2021: SC hearing on pleas challenging OBC, EWS quota in NEET today

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will today hear a batch pleas challenging the Centre and Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) notice providing 27% reservation for Other Backward Class (OBC) and 10% for EWS category in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) admissions for medical courses.

NEET-PG counselling registration for round one was to begin from October 25, however, candidates were informed by MCC that the counselling will begin after the clarification is sought from the apex court.

According to reports, the bench comprising Justice Chandrachud said, “Counselling will not start till we decide on the issue (OBC, EWS reservation).”

Following this, the MCC issued a notice that said, “Counselling for NEET-PG, 2021 has been put on hold due to the pending court case before the Supreme Court of India. The NEET PG counselling will resume after the clarifications are received.”

On setting the limit of Rs 8 lakh annual income fixed for determining the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category for reservation in NEET admissions for medical courses, the Centre on October 26 clarified to the apex court that the principle of fixing the amount is rational and in keeping with Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution.

"It is reiterated that even the Major General Sinho Commission had suggested that, "extending the existing criteria to identify 'creamy layer' among OBCs could well serve as to decide the upper limit or as a criterion for identifying EBC families among General Category too," the affidavit said.

Major Gen (retd) SR Sinho commission was constituted by the UPA government in 2010 and it recommended welfare measures for the EWS category.

Candidates can expect the NEET counselling dates 2021 once the clarification is sought and it must be noted that the NEET PG seat allotment will be made based on applicants’ choice, seat availability, NEET rank 2021, reservation criteria and factors.