The Telangana government’s “legitimate interest” in obtaining domicile certificates for medical college admissions was noted by the Supreme Court on Monday. Simultaneously, the court inquired of the state government whether it may suspend its domicile policy for the current academic year.
“This will remain in place on Thursday. “Just put all the students on notice and please apply mind to the social consequences and see if the rules can be implemented from next year,” senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, speaking on behalf of the Telangana government, was asked by a bench made up of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
The state government filed an appeal with the top court against the Telangana High Court’s decision, which held that permanent residents of the state cannot be refused admission to medical schools just because they haven’t attended state-run schools for the past four years or for classes 9, 10, 11, and 12.
By the Telangana Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Rules, 2017, as revised in 2024, the state government stipulated that only students who have completed their coursework in the state up to class 12 during the last four years will be eligible for admission to the medical and dental colleges under the state quota.
The bench began by noting that the state government had previously agreed to give over 100 students who had petitioned the high court for admission to the medical and dental schools under the 85% state quota seats a one-time exception.
Sankaranarayanan remarked, “Maybe the concession we made was not correct.”
The CJI stated, “The state has a legitimate interest in pressing for domicile,” and that the only thing working in the students’ favour who were applying for admission under the state quota was the accommodation granted by the state government to those who had petitioned the high court.
The bench recommended, “Let this rule be then implemented from the next session,” and on the following hearing date, they sought the state government’s opinion.
It was stated that there might be Telangana students who have “the original domicile” who have left to pursue their studies and asked the government for their opinions.
On September 20, the state’s highest court decided to revoke its ruling that state citizens or permanent residents cannot be refused admission to medical schools just because they live or study outside of Telangana.
However, the state government had decided to make a special exemption for over 100 students who had petitioned the high court that day for admittance to the dental and medical colleges.
In addition to Sankaranarayanan, the state administration was represented by attorney Sravan Kumar Karanam.
The state administration had filed a plea contesting the high court’s ruling from September 5 and the court had sent notices to the students and others.
“Till next listing, without prejudice to the aforesaid statement made by the Telangana government, the impugned order of the High Court dated September 5, 2024, shall remain stayed,” the court stated.
The state government argued in its appeal that the high court erred in holding that respondents would be eligible for admission to Telangana’s medical institutions under Rule 3 of the Telangana Medical and Dental Institutions Admission Rules, 2017, as revised in 2024.
According to the guideline, applicants to Telangana medical colleges had to have completed four years of study in the state prior to taking the qualifying exam.
“Such an order by the High Court overlooks the fact that the state of Telangana possesses the legislative competence to determine various requirements, including domicile, permanent resident status etc., to determine admission of students in the universities in the state of Telangana,” said the appeal.
According to the state administration, the high court’s ruling will force the state to create new admissions regulations, which will take months to complete.
“Students must seek and obtain the necessary certificates from the relevant authorities following the establishment of the rules. The Health University must validate each certificate that the student submits.
According to the guideline, applicants to Telangana medical colleges had to have completed four years of study in the state prior to taking the qualifying exam.
“Such an order by the High Court overlooks the fact that the state of Telangana possesses the legislative competence to determine various requirements, including domicile, permanent resident status etc., to determine admission of students in the universities in the state of Telangana,” said the appeal.
According to the state administration, the high court’s ruling will force the state to create new admissions regulations, which will take months to complete.
“Students must seek and obtain the necessary certificates from the relevant authorities following the establishment of the rules. The Health University must validate each certificate that the student submits.”
“Students must seek and obtain the necessary certificates from the relevant authorities following the establishment of the rules. The Health University must validate every certificate that the student submits.”
“Whereas the present rule prescribes that the students can produce their educational certificate without approaching any office or authority.”
“If the judgement of the High Court is implemented, it will result in a huge delay in the allotment of seats to MBBS and BDS students,” the motion stated.