Supreme Court Directs Compliance Of Counselling Dates Announced For NEET-MDS 2021; Disposes BDS Students' Plea

The Supreme Court on Wednesday disposed of a petition filed by a group of BDS Students in the light of the dates announced for NEET-MDS 2021 counselling by the Union Ministry.After a lot of nudging by the Court, the Union of India had filed an affidavit yesterday informing that it has decided to conduct NEET MDS 2021 counselling from 20th August 2021 and will conclude the same on 10th October 2021.Recording this fact, a division bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah disposed of the petition filed by the students, noting that their grievance has been addressed.The bench directed the Union Government and the Medical Counselling Committee to comply with the dates announced so that process of admissions is completed within the timeline indicated. When Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioners, told the bench that the counseling dates have been announced, the bench remarked that they had read about it in LiveLaw."Yes, that we have read on LiveLaw", Justice Shah said. "Yes, I also read it last evening", Justice Chandrachud added. The bench had earlier observed that the delay in holding the counselling was affecting the future of the students. The bench had observed that the delay in counselling would lead to serious consequences to the students, who have been waiting after the test results were announced on December 31, 2020. Through its counter affidavit in the present matter, the Ministry of Health requested the Supreme Court to allow them to conduct NEET MDS Counselling Virtually within 4 Weeks with existing reservation policies. The Ministry further stated that they have not been dilly-dallying in conducting counselling, and the delay has been caused due to lack of clarity on the issue of OBC reservation in All India Quota Seats contributed by State medical colleges under AIQ Scheme, following a judgment of the Madras High Court. The affidavit stated that the Union of India recently decided to provide 27% reservation to OBC(Non-creamy layer) as per Central List of OBC and 10% reservation to EWS category as per Central Government norms in All India Quota seats. In the present case, the Dental Graduates represented by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh and Advocate-on- Record Dr. Charu Mathur, sought directions to conduct separate counselling for the NEET-MDS 2021 and not wait for NEET-PG counselling for commencement of NEET-MDS 2021 counselling. The Petitioners, who are NEET-MDS aspirants and hold a BDS degree, have challenged the 'unjust and infinite delay' caused by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) in announcing the counselling schedule for NEET-MDS 2021. It may be noted that NEET-MDS is the single eligibility cum entrance examination for admission to MDS Courses for the academic session 2021. Case Title: Debraj Samanta and Ors v. Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and OrsClick Here To Read/ Download Order

Supreme Court Directs Compliance Of Counselling Dates Announced For NEET-MDS 2021; Disposes BDS Students' Plea

Srishti Ojha

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