Supreme Court To Hear Pleas Challenging OBC, EWS Quota In NEET On November 16

The Supreme Court on Thursday fixed November 16 for hearing a batch of pleas challenging the Centre and Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).

The Supreme Court on Thursday fixed November 16 for hearing a batch of pleas challenging the Centre and Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) July 29 notice providing 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Class (OBC) and 10 per cent for EWS category in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) admissions for medical courses.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Vikram Nath, and BV Nagarathna was told by solicitor general Tushar Mehta that the government has detailed discussion with senior officials of the department and those who have framed the notification.

“I request the matter to be taken up on reopening of the counselling after Diwali vacation. We also give our assurance with regard to not starting the counselling until the validity of the notification is decided”, Mehta said. The bench said, “We can take Solicitor General’s assurance on record. Let us keep the matter on November 16”.

At the outset, Mehta said that the union government has filed a counter-affidavit responding to the queries and questions formulated by the court on fixing of Rs 8 lakh limit for determining the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). Senior advocate Arvind Dattar, appearing for NEET aspirants, said that the Centre in its affidavit has majorly relied on Major General (retd) SR Sinho report which is a little complicated and detailed report. The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas challenging the Centre and MCC July 29 notice providing 27 per cent reservation for OBC and 10 per cent for EWS category in the NEET admissions for medical courses In its affidavit, the Centre has justified its decision to set the limit of Rs 8 lakh annual income fixed for determining the EWS category for reservation in NEET admissions for medical courses.