NEET PG Counselling Put On Hold, Won't Start Until Validity Of OBC-EWS Reservation Is Decided

The counselling for NEET-PG has been put on hold. This will remain postponed until the Supreme Court decides the validity of the Centre's decision for introducing reservation for OBC (Other Backward Classes) and EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) in the All India Quota (AIQ).

The Centre has communicated this information to the Apex Court on Monday. As per reports, Senior Advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for the NEET aspirants had filed the petition in the Court following an official communication from the Director General of Health Services that the counselling is to commence from October 25, 2021.

He further urged for Court's interference claiming that the entire process might be over during the pendency of the issue before the court. As per latest orders, the counselling will not begin unless the issue has been dealt with by the court.

After Centre’s assurance, a bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud observed that if counselling takes place before the Court’s decision, the students might get dragged into troubled waters as a result of the consequences.

Last week, the Court had expressed doubts regarding the validity of the Rs 8 lakh annual income limit set by the Centre for EWS criteria, and had sought responses on certain specific issues.