'How many can afford private hospitals?' Supreme Court questions move to surrender 152 Tamil Nadu medical seats
Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a plea seeking to stop the transfer of 152 vacant in-service super-speciality medical seats in Tamil Nadu to the All India Quota (AIQ) for the 2025-26 academic year.
A bench of justices B V Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Centre, the Tamil Nadu government and other respondents on a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association. The court sought their responses and scheduled the matter for hearing in July.
While hearing the case, the bench observed, "A government doctor, if (he or she) acquires skills, will serve public health better than a private doctor." The court also noted that in-service candidates form a separate category because they are both working and studying at the same time.
The petition relates to 152 vacant in-service super-speciality seats in Tamil Nadu medical colleges that were earmarked for the state for the 2025-26 academic year. The association has asked the court to restrain authorities from surrendering these seats to the All India Quota until the counselling process reaches a later stage.
A bench of justices B V Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Centre, the Tamil Nadu government and other respondents on a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association. The court sought their responses and scheduled the matter for hearing in July.
While hearing the case, the bench observed, "A government doctor, if (he or she) acquires skills, will serve public health better than a private doctor." The court also noted that in-service candidates form a separate category because they are both working and studying at the same time.
The petition relates to 152 vacant in-service super-speciality seats in Tamil Nadu medical colleges that were earmarked for the state for the 2025-26 academic year. The association has asked the court to restrain authorities from surrendering these seats to the All India Quota until the counselling process reaches a later stage.
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