Madras HC directs state to reserve seat for NEET aspirant for Next Year

The Madras High court has directed the State Government to reserve an MBBS sdeat for a student falling under the Righ to Children Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) quota. The petitioner’s daughter was a NEET aspirant and score 425 marks in the second attempt by the time she could apply, the Tamil Nadu Government had reserved 7.5% for Government school students while the aspirant was from private school due to which she missed her chance.

After listening to both the parties, the High Court of Madras opined that the petitioner’s daughter admittedly deserved to be extended the benefit of the preferential right to the extent of 7.5% in terms of Act 24 of 2020.

“In the instant case, the Government is under moral and legal obligation to consider the petitioner’s daughter’s admission on priority basis in the following academic year by extending the benefit of 7.5% reservation under Act 24 of 2020. In case it is still possible to accommodate the petitioner’s daughter for this academic year against any left over vacancy due to the candidates non-joining the course, the authorities are directed to explore the possibilities and consider the claim of the petitioner’s daughter by extending the benefit of 7.5% reservation without any further delay,” the HC Bench held.

It further added, “In case for the present year it is not possible, in view of the closure of the admission process, the respondents are directed to reserve a seat for the petitioner’s daughter in her category namely Backward Muslim (BCM) and provide her admission for the next academic year on a priority basis in medical courses in terms of her overall standing in the merit list against the preferential admission category, if the petitioner’s daughter is interested in taking up the course to be offered to her, still.”