M.R. Shah, J.— Leave granted in the special leave petition. The “institutional preference” for postgraduate medical admissions is the core issue involved in these appeal/petitions.
2. Pursuant to the order passed by a two-Judge Bench of this Court dated 12-9-2018 (2019) 10 SCC 11, all these appeal/petitions are placed before the larger Bench.
3. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order dated 22-2-2017 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Gujarat in Yatinkumar Jasubhai Patel v. State of Gujarat 2017 SCC OnLine Guj 130, (2017) 2 GLH 282, by which the Division Bench has dismissed the said writ petition upholding the vires of Rules 2, 3, 4.1 and 4.3 relating to admission to the postgraduate medical courses framed by the Gujarat University providing that the preference shall be given to the candidates graduating from the Gujarat University (providing for “institutional reservation”), the original writ petitioners have preferred the special leave petition/appeal. Thus, the original writ petitioners are challenging the “institutional preference” in the postgraduate medical courses.
3.1. Writ Petition (C) No. 1479 of 2018 under Article 32 of the Constitution of India has been preferred by the petitioners also challenging the policy of “institutional preference” for admission to the postgraduate medical courses insofar as Respondent 3, University of Delhi and Respondent 4, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University is concerned. Similar prayers are made in Writ Petition (C) No. 122 of 2018 and Writ Petition (C) No. 1142 of 2019 also challenging the policy of “institutional preference” in the postgraduate medical courses.
3.2. For the sake of convenience, civil appeal arising from Special Leave Petition (C) No. 7003 of 2017 arising out of the impugned judgment and order dated 22-2-2017 2017 SCC OnLine Guj 130, (2017) 2 GLH 282 passed by the High Court of Gujarat is treated and considered as a lead matter and the relevant rules of the Gujarat University relating to admission to the postgraduate medical courses framed by the Gujarat University are considered.
4. In exercise of powers under Section 39 read with Section 32 of the Gujarat University Act, 1949, the Gujarat University has framed the rules for the purpose of governing admission to postgraduate courses. The relevant rules are Rules 2, 3, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, which read as under:
“2. As per directive of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, 50% of total available seats in academic year in various postgraduate degree and diploma courses in each subject in government institution/colleges will be filled up as all-India quota seats as per all-India 50% quota rank by competent authority. The remaining seats will be available for the candidates passing from Gujarat University in accordance with Rule 4.1. The students passing from other statutory universities within Gujarat State will be considered as per their merit in accordance with Rule 4.3.
3. Remaining 50% (or more) of total seats after Rule 2.0 (and Rule 2.1) in postgraduate courses will be filled up by the “Admission Committee” of University.
4.0. Selection: Selection of candidates eligible under Rule 1 for seats under Rule 3.0 will be done category and status wise on the basis of merits as laid down herein further.
4.1. Preference shall be given to candidates graduating from Gujarat University.
4.2. Deleted.
4.3. After the merit list prepared under Rule 4.1 is exhausted the candidates graduating from any other university located in Gujarat State will be considered.”
4.1. As per the aforesaid Rules, 50% of the total available seats in the academic year in various postgraduate degree and diploma courses in each subject in government institution/colleges will be filled up as “all-India quota seats” by competent authority and the remaining seats will be filled up in accordance with Rule 4.1 of the Rules of the University. As per Rule 3 of the Rules, remaining 50% of the total seats in postgraduate courses will be filled up by the “Admission Committee” of University. As per Rule 4.3 of the Rules, after merit list prepared under Rule 4.1 is exhausted, candidates graduating from any other university located in Gujarat State will be considered.
4.2. The original writ petitioners challenged the vires of the aforestated Rules providing “institutional preference” — giving preference to the candidates graduating from Gujarat University mainly on the ground that in view of introduction of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (hereinafter referred to as “NEET”) and the admissions are to be given solely on the basis of the merits and the marks obtained in NEET, the Rules providing “institutional preference” shall be violative of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 framed under the Indian Medical Council Act. That by the impugned judgment and order 2017 SCC OnLine Guj 130, (2017) 2 GLH 282 and after considering the decisions of this Court in Pradeep Jain v. Union of India (1984) 3 SCC 654; and Saurabh Chaudri v. Union of India (2003) 11 SCC 146 and after considering the scheme of the NEET (PG), the High Court has dismissed the said petition holding the “institutional preference”. Hence, the present appeal challenging the policy of “institutional preference” in the postgraduate medical courses.
5. The learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioners have vehemently submitted that it is true that earlier — prior to the introduction of NEET, the “institutional preference” in the postgraduate medical courses is held to be permissible. However, in view of the introduction of NEET which brings about the change to the effect that all admissions to the postgraduate medical courses should be only on the basis of merit in NEET, as per Regulation 9 of the Post Graduate Medical Education Admission Regulations, 2000, now “institutional preference” would not be permissible and the same shall be ultra vires the Medical Council Act and the 2000 Regulations and contrary to the scheme of NEET.
5.1. It is vehemently submitted by the learned counsel for the writ petitioners that the purpose due to which such “institutional reservation” was held permissible by this Court no longer exists as now there exists 50% all-India quota and the admission is also done on the basis of an all India Examination — NEET.
5.2. It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the writ petitioners that even the MCI Regulations for the postgraduate admissions, namely, the 2000 Regulations do not permit “institutional reservation”. It is submitted that the MCI Regulations have been held by this Court to be a complete Code and therefore no reservations could be provided unless the same is permitted under the Regulations. In support of the above, reliance is placed upon the decision of this Court in State of U.P. v. Dinesh Singh Chauhan (2016) 9 SCC 749.
6. So far as Delhi University and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University are concerned, it is submitted by the learned counsel for the respective petitioners that under the MCI Regulations, admissions are to be done only by way of two lists i.e. (i) 50% seats on the basis of “all-India Merit List” and (ii) 50% seats to be filled on the basis of “State-wise List”. It is submitted that the admissions to the State quota seats in the aforesaid two universities are not being done on unified “State-wise List” but both the universities are preparing two separate “university-wise” lists which is not in accordance with the MCI Regulations.
6.1. It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the respective petitioners that the two universities have provided “institutional reservation” to an extent of 100% of the State quota seats i.e. the entire State quota has been reserved for their alumni completely denying opportunity of selection to other State candidates. It is submitted that the petitioners being MBBS graduates from the State of NCT of Delhi are entitled to be considered under the State quota seats. It is submitted that at present because of the “institutional reservation”, the petitioners are not entitled to be considered under the State quota at all. It is submitted that therefore 100% “institutional reservation” cannot at all be permitted even if it is otherwise held to be permissible.
7. It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the writ petitioners that in Pradeep Jain (1984) 3 SCC 654, “institutional preference” was limited to 50% of the total number of open seats. It is submitted that the same was held to be permissible at a time when 100% seats in the State colleges were filled up by the State. It is submitted that in Students' Union v. Aiims (2002) 1 SCC 428, the “institutional reservation” was permitted only to an extent of 25%. It is submitted that similarly in Saurabh Chaudri (2003) 11 SCC 146, the “institutional preference” was permitted to the extent of 50%. It is submitted that even if this Court holds the “institutional preference” permissible, in that case, the same should be limited to 50% of the total number of State quota seats.
8. All these appeal/petitions are vehemently opposed by the learned advocates appearing on behalf of the respective States, respective universities and the learned counsel appearing on behalf of MCI. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respective respondents have vehemently submitted that, as such, the “institutional preference” is held to be permissible by this Court right from 1971. It is submitted that the issue involved with respect to “institutional preference” is now not res integra in view of the decisions of this Court in D.N. Chanchala v. State of Mysore (1971) 2 SCC 293; Pradeep Jain (1984) 3 SCC 654; a Constitution Bench judgment in Saurabh Chaudri (2003) 11 SCC 146; and Gujarat University v. Rajiv Gopinath Bhatt (1996) 4 SCC 60. It is submitted therefore now it will not be open for the petitioners to again re-agitate the issue with respect to “institutional preference”. It is submitted that the relevant regulations prescribing “institutional preference” are absolutely in consonance with the law laid down by this Court in the aforesaid decisions.
8.1. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of MCI, while opposing the present appeal/petitions, has vehemently submitted that admission to postgraduate medical courses in the medical colleges is done on the basis of the NEET merit and 50% seats are filled up on merit drawn on “all-India basis” and 50% seats are filled up on merit drawn on “State-wise basis”. It is submitted that earlier Gujarat University used to hold examinations for postgraduate medical courses and now instead of such test by Gujarat University, merit is to be determined on the basis of NEET examination results. It is submitted that the National Board of Examinations is entrusted with the job of holding NEET test for admission to postgraduate medical courses. It is submitted that as per the information bulletin issued by the National Board of Examination, 50% of the available seats are all-India quota seats and the remaining seats are to be filled either by the State Government or colleges or universities at the institute level using NEET-PG score and as per the applicable regulations and/or eligibility criteria, reservation policy, etc. It is submitted that for the remaining 50% seats, it is left open for the State Government and government agency to make admission in such colleges, universities and institutions following the score obtained by the students in the NEET examination. It is submitted therefore that holding of common examination cannot lead to invalidity of “institutional preference” as has been held permissible by this Court in a catena of decisions. It is further submitted that after uniform entrance examination through NEET, provisions of Section 10-D do not debar source from which admissions are to be made at the postgraduate level.
8.2. Making the above submissions, it is prayed to dismiss the present appeal/writ petitions.
9. The short question which is posed for consideration of this Court is, whether after the introduction of the NEET Scheme, still the “institutional preference” in the postgraduate medical courses would be permissible?
9.1. At the outset, it is required to be noted that, as such, and it is not in dispute that such “institutional preference” in the postgraduate medical courses is held to be permissible by this Court in a catena of decisions, more particularly a three-Judge Bench decision of this Court in Pradeep Jain (1984) 3 SCC 654; a Constitution Bench decision of this Court in Saurabh Chaudri (2003) 11 SCC 146; and in Saurabh Dwivedi v. Union of India (2017) 7 SCC 626.
9.2. In Pradeep Jain (1984) 3 SCC 654, it is observed and held by this Court as under:
“22. … We are therefore of the view that so far as admissions to postgraduate courses, such as MS, MD and the like are concerned, it would be eminently desirable not to provide for any reservation based on residence requirement within the State or on institutional preference. But, having regard to broader considerations of equality of opportunity and institutional continuity in education which has its own importance and value, we would direct that though residence requirement within the State shall not be a ground for reservation in admissions to postgraduate courses, a certain percentage of seats may in the present circumstances, be reserved on the basis of institutional preference in the sense that a student who has passed MBBS course from a medical college or university, may be given preference for admission to the postgraduate course in the same medical college or university but such reservation on the basis of institutional preference should not in any event exceed 50 per cent of the total number of open seats available for admission to the postgraduate course. This outer limit which we are fixing will also be subject to revision on the lower side by the Indian Medical Council in the same manner as directed by us in the case of admissions to the MBBS course. But, even in regard to admissions to the postgraduate course, we would direct that so far as super specialities such as neuro-surgery and cardiology are concerned, there should be no reservation at all even on the basis of institutional preference and admissions should be granted purely on merit on all-India basis.”
(emphasis supplied)
9.3. Thereafter, a five-Judge Bench of this Court in Saurabh Chaudri (2003) 11 SCC 146 has reiterated the scheme of “institutional preference” as framed in Pradeep Jain (1984) 3 SCC 654 and has approved the “institutional preference” confined to 50% of the total number of open seats. In that decision, this Court also took note of the subsequent decision in Dinesh Kumar (2) v. Motilal Nehru Medical College (1986) 3 SCC 727 fixing the “institutional preference” to the extent of 25%. However, after taking note of the said decision, this Court has reiterated the scheme framed in Pradeep Jain (1984) 3 SCC 654 providing “institutional preference” confined to 50% of the total number of open seats. In Saurabh Chaudri (2003) 11 SCC 146, this Court has again approved the “institutional preference”. Thus, right from 1971 onwards till 2017, consistently this Court has approved and/or permitted the “institutional preference” in the postgraduate medical courses.
9.4. However, it is the case on behalf of the petitioners that in view of the introduction of the NEET Scheme and in view of Section 10-D of the MCI Act, by which admissions are to be given on the basis of merit in the NEET, such an “institutional preference” would not be permissible. It is required to be noted that introduction of the NEET has, as such, nothing to do with any preference/institutional preference, more particularly the “institutional preference” as approved by this Court time and again. The purpose and object of the introduction of NEET was to conduct a uniform entrance examination for all medical educational institutions at the undergraduate level or postgraduate level and admissions at the undergraduate level and postgraduate level are to be given solely on the basis of the merits and/or marks obtained in the NEET examination only. It is required to be noted that earlier the respective universities including Gujarat University used to hold examination for postgraduate admission to medical courses and now instead of such tests by Gujarat University/universities concerned, merit is to be determined on the basis of the NEET examination results only and admissions are required to be given on the basis of such merits or marks obtained in NEET. The only obligation by virtue of introduction of NEET is that, once centralised admission test is conducted, the State, its agencies, universities and institutions cannot hold any separate test for the purpose of admission to postgraduate and PG and diploma courses and such seats are to be filled up by the State agencies, universities/institutions for preparing merit list as per the score obtained by the applicants in NEET examination and therefore by introduction of NEET, Section 10-D of the MCI Act has been amended, consequently amendment to the Post-Graduate Education Regulations, 2000, admission to postgraduate courses are made providing for solely on the basis of the score secured by the candidates seeking admission based on centralised examination i.e. NEET.
9.5. Even while giving admissions in the State quota/institutional reservation quota, still the admissions are required to be given on the basis of the merits determined on the basis of the NEET examination results. Under the circumstances, introduction of the NEET Scheme, as such, has nothing to do with the “institutional preference”. Therefore, the change by introduction of the NEET Scheme shall not affect the institutional preference/reservation as approved by this Court from time to time in a catena of decisions, more particularly the decisions referred to hereinabove. Under the guise of introduction of the NEET Scheme, the petitioners cannot be permitted to re-agitate and/or reopen the issue with respect to institutional preference which has been approved and settled by this Court in a catena of decisions, more particularly the decisions referred to hereinabove.
10. Now so far as the submission on behalf of the petitioners that if the 50% seats are reserved for State quota and if institutional preference/reservation is permitted to the extent of 50% of the total number of open seats, in that case, not a single seat in the State quota shall be available and therefore the percentage of institutional preference may be reduced to the extent of 25% or so is concerned, at the outset, it is required to be noted that as such the institutional preference to the extent of 50% of the total number of open seats has been approved by this Court in a catena of decisions, more particularly the decisions referred to hereinabove. The decision of this Court in Dinesh Kumar (2) (1986) 3 SCC 727 permitting 25% institutional preference has been distinguished by a Constitution Bench of this Court in Saurabh Chaudri (2003) 11 SCC 146. Therefore, once the institutional preference to the extent of 50% of the total number of open seats has been held to be permissible, in that case, thereafter it will be for the appropriate authority/State to consider how much percentage seats are to be reserved for institutional preference/reservation. It will be in the realm of a policy decision and this Court cannot substitute the same, unless it is held to be arbitrary and/or mala fide and/or not permissible. As observed hereinabove, a five-Judge Bench of this Court in Saurabh Chaudri (2003) 11 SCC 146 has categorically allowed/permitted/approved the institutional preference/reservation in the postgraduate medical courses to the extent of 50% of the total number of open seats.
11. Therefore, for the reasons stated above and considering the decisions of this Court in Pradeep Jain (1984) 3 SCC 654; a Constitution Bench decision of this Court in Saurabh Chaudri (2003) 11 SCC 146; and Saurabh Dwivedi (2017) 7 SCC 626, institutional preference to the extent of 50% is approved and it is observed and held that introduction of the NEET Scheme shall not affect such institutional preference/reservation. Such a regulation providing 50% institutional preference/reservation shall not be in any way ultra vires to Section 10-D of the MCI Act. Even otherwise, as observed hereinabove, even in the case of institutional preference/reservation, the admissions in the postgraduate courses are to be given on the basis of the merits and marks obtained in the NEET examination result only.
12. In view of the above and for the reasons stated above, all these appeal/writ petitions deserve to be dismissed and are accordingly dismissed. No costs.