SC Allows 10 Overseas MBBS Aspirants To Participate In Counseling For Admission [Read Order]

The Supreme Court has allowed 10 MBBS aspirants, who are Overseas Citizens [OCI card-holders] and have passed NEET, to participate in the second counseling to MBBS/BDS course to be held this August 17.

The Karnataka High Court had held that Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders, who are NEET UG 2017 qualified, shall be entitled to be treated on par with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in the matter of admission to first year MBBS/BDS course for the academic year 2017-18. The high court also held that they can be considered for all categories, except government quota.

In a special leave petition against the Karnataka High Court judgment, the Union told the court that it has done away the distinction between OCI and persons of Indian origin (PIO) with respect to 15% of the all-India quota and the same is specifically provided in the brochure.

As an interim order, the court allowed the petitioners before it to participate in second counseling and observed: “We are sure the State of Karnataka shall not deviate to follow the order in letter and spirit. If any of the candidates is not eligible, needless to say, the counseling may be held, but the result of thereof may be withheld. In that event, liberty is granted to the learned counsel for the petitioners to mention before this Court.”

It clarified that, barring the petitioners before it, no other candidate's prayer shall be entertained and no high court shall entertain any prayer of any candidate who had not approached the court.

The matter is next listed on November 7.