The top court bench has scheduled the matter for further hearing on November 19. The candidate claimed that she could not make the payment due to financial difficulties.
Also Read: Madras HC relief to MBBS aspirant who missed fee deadline due to financial constraints
As per the latest media report by Live Law, stressing the urgency in the hearing of the case before the Apex Court bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, the counsel for the candidate submitted, "The urgency is that today the stray counselling is happening, they will occupy the seat, poor girl- 15 lakhs was supposed to be paid, and on the last day, she couldn't."
The counsel further pointed out that the last day for payment was the second Saturday of the month, and due to this, the candidate could not complete the payment online as she did not have an account in the 7 banks that were facilitating the online payments.
Taking note of the submissions, the CJI agreed to list the matter for the day after tomorrow.
The petitioner appeared in the National Eligibility--Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2025 examination and secured 251 marks in the entrance examination. The petitioner applied under the minority quota for both the Government quota counselling and Management quota counselling. She was allotted a seat in the Madha Medical College under the minority quota in the 3rd round of counselling which took place from 30.10.2025. to 01.11.2025 vide provisional allotment list published on 03.11.2025.
Even though it was specified that the candidates must report before the concerned college by 08.11.2025, the petitioner could arrange Rs 15 lakh fees only on 08.11.2025, which was a second Saturday. Therefore, the petitioner was not able to take the demand draft or make the payment through NEFT or RTGS mode.
Allegedly, in these circumstances, the petitioner and her mother were repeatedly trying to get in touch with the medical college authorities to inform them that they would be able to pay the fees on the next working day i.e. on 10.11.2025. However, there was no response. Since the petitioner did not join the fourth respondent college by 08.11.2025, the seat was considered as not occupied and therefore, it was added towards the vacancy which will be filled up during stray vacancy.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that granting relief to the candidate, earlier, a single judge bench of the Madras High Court had allowed her to join the course.
While passing the order, the HC bench of Justice N. Anand Venkatesh had taken note of the facts that the petitioner had secured a score of 251 in the NEET examination and how her mother had to sell her jewellery to make arrangements for the fees.
"If the above seat is considered to be unoccupied and it is added to the stray vacancy, obviously it will be occupied by those students who have secured lesser marks than the petitioner. There are cases where this Court has to exercise its discretionary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India and render substantial justice," the Court had noted.
However, later the Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq, set aside the single judge's order and noted that the time scheme specified in the prospectus had to be followed by the candidates. Further, the bench observed that there may be many students, who like the candidate, could not join the allotted college in time.
Even though the Division Bench set aside the single judge's order, it talked to the candidate after pronouncing the order and advised her to take up another course and flourish in life, and not be disheartened that she could not pursue the MBBS course.
Now, the matter will be heard by the Supreme Court tomorrow.
Also Read: MCC NEET PG 2025 counselling revised schedule released, check new dates
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.