New Delhi: The Supreme Court today will hear the plea challenging the validity of the Centre's decision to introduce OBC or Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation in the All India Quota (AIQ) of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) admissions.
Supreme Court had earlier raised doubts regarding the reasonableness of the Rs 8 lakh gross annual family income limit adopted by the Centre to determine EWS cut-off.
Due to this ongoing issue in the apex court, NEET Counselling 2021 for UG and PG courses has witnessed a prolonged delay.
With a direction from Supreme Court expected today, NEET Counselling 2021 schedule may be expedited and can be announced later in the evening.
The delay in NEET PG Counseling 2021 process saw ire from practicing doctors from all across the country as the omicron variant started gripping the nation and burdening healthcare services.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India N V Ramana and justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, that the matter pertains to admissions to post-graduate medical courses and that students have been facing difficulties.
"It concerns EWS of the society. There's a statement made by us which prevents further counselling of resident doctors," the law officer submitted, seeking urgent hearing of the matter.
"Resident doctors are protesting and their concerns are genuine," he said.
The Centre on November 25 had agreed to revisit the EWS criteria in view of the Court's concerns regarding the EWS criteria. It decided to formulate a Committee to examine the issue.
As the Centre sought four weeks' time to complete the exercise, Supreme Court had then adjourned the case till January 6, 2022.
(With PTI inputs)