Reserves required with merit, more marks are not the only criterion of eligibility: Supreme

New Delhi, Dt
The apex court on Thursday allowed the central government to reserve 5 per cent for OBCs and 10 per cent for the economically weaker sections (EWS) in the all-India quota seats in medical courses. With this, the apex court made an important remark that reservations can be given along with merit. It should not be considered contradictory. Reserve distribution increases performance. Further marks are not the only criteria for eligibility, the apex court said.
Hearing the case, Justice DY Chandrachud said that some sections which get economic and social benefits do not show competitive examination. Aptitude should be made socially relevant. The Supreme Court said the reservation does not contradict eligibility. It maximizes its distribution efficiency. The bench said that if a case involves a constitutional definition, the judicial justification cannot allow the court to restrict the quota.
A group of applicants led by Neil Aurelio Nunes challenged the Centre's declaration of July 8, 2021 to implement the reservation for OBCs and other economically weaker sections (EWS) in the all-India quota from the current academic session on NEET-PG courses. Hearing the petition, the apex court said that judicial intervention in the matter would further delay the admission process this year. At the same time, a round of court proceedings will begin.
"We are still living in an epidemic and the country needs doctors at the present time," the apex court bench said. The apex court said Pradeep Jain's verdict could not be seen in the context of the All India quota seats. The argument of the applicants was not limited to quotas in AIQ, but also about the criteria adopted by the Central Government. Stressing on the need for an extended hearing on this aspect, the bench directed that the next hearing be held in the third week of March this year.
The apex court had on January 9 upheld the legality of the 5 per cent OBC quota, but said the annual income limit of Rs 8 lakh fixed for EWS candidates would be subject to the final outcome of pending applications.