Rajasthan HC protects NEET PG admission of doctor on maternity leave

Jaipur: Clarifying that a woman doctor is entitled to continue her sanctioned maternity leave, the Rajasthan High Court granted interim relief to a NEET PG candidate in her postnatal recovery phase, whose request for extension of the joining date for her Post MBBS Diploma in Ophthalmology was rejected by the State.

Restraining the State from taking any coercive or adverse action against the petitioner, Single Bench Justice Anuroop Singhi allowed her to continue her officially sanctioned maternity leave, while permitting her to submit her joining before the allotted medical college, S.K. Medical College and Hospital.

The bench also granted two weeks time to the State to file its reply and listed the matter for further hearing on April 29, 2026.

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As per Live Law report, the petitioner is currently posted as a Medical Officer in Sikar. She had cleared NEET-PG and was allotted a Post MBBS Diploma seat, for which she had already deposited the tuition fee and security amount.

However, during this period, she gave birth and was granted maternity leave till July 19, 2026. Meanwhile, the State had fixed April 9, 2026, as the last date for joining, warning that failure to do so would lead to cancellation of the allotted seat.

Since she was in the postnatal recovery phase, the doctor sought an extension of the joining deadline. The State rejected her request, following which she moved the High Court.

Taking note of these circumstances, the Court granted two weeks’ time to the State to file its reply. In the meantime, it ensured protection to the petitioner by allowing her to retain both her admission and her maternity leave, making it clear that no adverse action should be taken against her.

"The petitioner was granted maternity leave for the period 21.01.2026 to 19.07.2026 .. issued by Chief Medical Officer, Kudan (Sikar), it is directed that while the petitioner may submit her joining before respondent No.5 – S.K. Medical College and Hospital for her Post MBBS Diploma of Ophthamology, she would be entitled to continue with her said maternity leave for the period already granted to her vide order dated 21.01.2026 and the respondents are restrained from taking any coercive or adverse action against the petitioner," said the court. 

To view the court order, click on the link below:

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