On August 11, 2017, the Hon’ble Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of the Tamil Nadu Government, against the Madras High Court Judgment, quashing the order providing 85% reservation for the students from the State Board, for admissions in UG Medical Admissions.

The order in question was passed by the Tamil Nadu Government, in the month of July, 2017. However this order was subsequently quashed by the Madras High Court.

The Court had found the government order violative of the right to equality. During the hearing, the Medical Council of India (MCI) supported the court’s view against any special concession for Tamil Nadu.

“Exemption to Tamil Nadu and some other States from NEET was granted in 2016. This was because they complained that sufficient time was not given to the students to prepare for NEET,” MCI counsel argued.

In an appeal, the Hon’ble Supreme Court Bench, of Justices Dipak Misra and A.M. Khanwilkar said the government cannot allow any classification by States on the applicability of NEET. The court said NEET is uniformly applicable to all States.

The Hon’ble Bench stated that, “There can be no classification. No State has done that, why Tamil Nadu alone should do it every time. Everybody understands the law, as it should be done. It is very difficult to carve out a separate principle for you. You cannot bring in a new classification. We do not see any merit in this appeal. Dismissed.”

After the judgment, the Government has approached the Hon’ble Prime Minister and requested him to exempt the state from NEET for medical admissions.