NEET PG Counselling 2021: Supreme Court judgment on OBC, EWS reservation tomorrow

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will pronounce judgment tomorrow on Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation in National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) PG Counselling 2021 for All India Quota (AIQ), as per Live Law.

Latest | NEET PG Counselling 2021 Live Updates: Supreme Court verdict on EWS, OBC reservation today

A two-judge bench comprising Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice AS Bopanna today reserved the judgement on the case after having detailed arguments yesterday and today. The SC adjourned yesterday and resumed the NEET PG hearing today.

The top court on January 4 agreed to hear the NEET PG Counselling dates delay case on January 5, 2022, after the Centre on Monday requested the top court to schedule a hearing in a matter related to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota, citing "some urgency". The matter was initially listed for January 6, 2022.

Also Read | NEET-PG Admissions: Doctors' federation moves SC seeking commencement of counselling

Yesterday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested the Court to allow commencement of NEET PG counselling. The Court asked petitioners to respond to the Centre's request.

Senior Advocate Shyam Divan argued that introducing OBC, EWS quota in July after the issuance of exam notification amounted to changing the rule midway, as per Live Law.

While his arguments were mainly two-fold, he argued that PG admissions must be totally merit-based and reservations must be minimal. He referred to the Apex Court judgments which hold that there should be no reservation in superspeciality courses.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu CM lashes out at Centre on pending Bill seeking exemption from NEET

The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of pleas challenged the July 29 notice providing 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category in 15% UG and 50% PG All India Quota seats (MBBS or BDS and MD, MS, MDS) with effect from the academic session 2021-22.

On October 25, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) told SC that counselling will not start until the court's judgment.