20 percent inservice reservation gets HC nod in Maharashtra despite objection from PG medical aspirants

Mumbai: Putting an end to all the confusions and debate concerning the In-service reservation in Postgraduate medical admission in Maharashtra and its implementation, the Bombay High Court on Monday confirmed that the newly introduced 20 per cent In-service reservation will be implemented as a part of the ongoing admission process.

While considering the plea filed by a group of students who had challenged the announcement regarding the In-service reservation after commencement of the admission process, the HC bench on Monday ordered that the admission process shall continue as is, reports Indian Express.

These students had approached the High Court seeking relief as they were upset with the sudden implementation of 20 per cent In-service reservation in PG medical admission in the State.

The PG medical aspirants who have already registered for the 2022-2023 academic year, are concerned over the fact that this delayed implementation of In-service quota after the commencement of the admission process might end up affecting their chances of securing admission. Therefore, a group of PG medical aspirants had filed a petition before the Bombay HC on last Thursday.

Apart from the demand that the In-service reservation gets implemented from the next academic year, the plea also sought a reduction in the reservation benefit allowed for the PG medical aspirants.

The plea was a result of the announcement made by the Maharashtra Government regarding the implementation of 20 per cent In-service quota in PG Medical Admission.

Also Read: Maharashtra Announces 20 percent In-Service Reservation for PG Medical Admissions, IMA seeks Stay

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Maha Government on Monday announced a 20 per cent quota for in-service doctors practising in the rural and tribal areas of the State. As per the Government Order, the in-service doctors serving the state for two years shall be able to avail the reservation benefits while taking admission to PG medical courses. Issuing a Government Resolution in this regard, the Maha Government clarified, "From the academic year 2022-23, government approval is being given to reserve 20% seats for in-service candidates for admissions to PG medical and diploma courses in government and civic-run medical colleges in the state."

However the GR has also made it clear that the in-service candidates would not be awarded any extra marks for their work, and admissions would be conducted solely on the basis of their NEET-PG marks.

However, despite all the objections regarding the sudden implementation of In-service reservation, and the challenging the same before the High Court, the Bombay HC bench on Monday decided that the newly introduced In-service reservation in PG Medical admissions in Maharashtra will be part of ongoing admissions, adds Indian Express.

Speaking about the decision of the High Court, a student told the daily, on the condition of anonymity, "We now plan to include a plea in our petition asking to revert the vacant seats from reserved quota to total seats before the second round as we will not have the opportunity to change colleges in the mop-up round to be held after it."

Further addressing the fact that the merit list declared on Friday for In-service candidates had only 50 doctors, the student added, "20 per cent of total pool of seats is 240 seats whereas the number of candidates is only 50. This clearly will lead to vacancy in reserved seats. But if this is opened after the second round, it will not benefit students because candidates with seat allotment in second round will have to confirm admission, as per the new rule."

Also Read: Maharashtra PG Medical aspirants oppose delayed implementation of In-service Reservation, Approach HC for relief