SC Order on Super Speciality Seats: TN Doctors' Body Urges Caution on Demand for All Seats

The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) has welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict regarding super speciality seats in medical courses. The association expressed hope that if the qualifying percentile is reduced after the second round of All India Quota (AIQ) counselling, between 75 and 100 seats could become available for government doctors in the state.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the TNGDA thanked Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for securing the order. Representatives of the association also met Health Minister K.G. Arunraj to discuss the implications of the verdict.

The Health Minister, in a post on X, said the association described the Supreme Court verdict as significant and victorious. TNGDA president A. Srinivasan and general secretary T. Kanagarajan, along with other office bearers, were present during the meeting.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed Tamil Nadu to surrender 151 unfilled super speciality seats reserved for service candidates to the AIQ. The court also stated that if the qualifying percentile is reduced after the second round of AIQ counselling by the Directorate General of Health Services, 50% of the vacant seats should be reverted to Tamil Nadu.

The TNGDA said it had already explained this to the Minister. However, the association cautioned that the argument put forward by some government doctors—that all 151 seats should be allotted to service doctors after the qualifying percentile is reduced to 40%—is dangerous.

The Supreme Court has, in several judgments, ruled that there should be no caste or religion-based reservation in super speciality medical seats. Tamil Nadu had obtained 50% reservation in super speciality seats for service candidates after a legal battle a few years ago. Therefore, the association urged that it is prudent not to take unnecessary risks through such arguments.