In our journey toward a more unified and equitable nation, we often encounter the friction between regional aspirations and national standards. Recently, the Supreme Court of India delivered a significant verdict that addresses one such friction point: domicile-based reservation in postgraduate (PG) medical courses.
A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Sudhanshu Dhulia, and S V N Bhatti has held that reserving seats in PG medical courses based on residence is constitutionally invalid. This decision reaffirms a vital principle: while local considerations might hold weight at the undergraduate level, the specialized nature of postgraduate medical education demands that merit be the sole arbiter of admission.
One Nation, One Domicile
The court’s reasoning cuts to the heart of what it means to be an Indian citizen. As the bench aptly noted, “We are all domiciled in the territory of India.” The concept of provincial or state-based domicile, when used to restrict access to higher educational opportunities, is a departure from our fundamental identity. By treating students differently based on their state of origin, such policies have historically infringed upon the Right to Equality guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution.
This is not a new realization. Our legal history has long wrestled with this, from the Pradeep Jain case in 1984 to Saurabh Chaudri in 2003. Yet, practice has often lagged behind principle, as states continued to reserve substantial portions of their quotas based on residency rather than purely on merit-based ranking in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
The Tension of Federalism
Naturally, this ruling has met with resistance. Critics, such as Ma. Subramanian, the Health Minister of Tamil Nadu, have expressed concerns that this undermines the right of states to develop their own education systems and respond to local needs. There is a palpable fear that removing these barriers disrupts the linguistic and regional framework that has shaped our states.
However, we must balance these regional concerns against the broader national interest. When we speak of creating a healthcare system that provides the best possible specialist care, we cannot afford to compromise on merit. When a student is denied a seat simply because they belong to a different state in the Union, we are not just denying that individual an opportunity; we are potentially limiting the quality of care available to the entire nation.
Looking Ahead
It is crucial to note that this ruling protects those who have already benefited from existing reservation policies, ensuring that current students and those already graduated are not affected. This reflects a balanced approach—upholding the constitutionality of the future while respecting the stability of the past.
As I have frequently reflected, our progress as a nation depends on our ability to embrace unity without erasing the diversity of our parts. This judgment is a step toward a more seamless, merit-driven professional landscape. It challenges us to build healthcare infrastructure that is robust, inclusive, and fundamentally aligned with our national identity.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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