look news india
There is always an atmosphere of tremendous excitement and tension among the students regarding the NEET UG examination conducted for admission in medical colleges across the country. Meanwhile, a major High Court of the country has given a very important and clear decision regarding the benefits of reservation for the economically weaker section i.e. EWS. Many times, students apply in general or other categories in a hurry while filling the examination form or due to lack of correct information and later try to avail the benefit of EWS quota at the time of counseling or after the result is declared. After this new decision of the court, it is now completely clear that arbitrary change in category will not be allowed after the fixed deadline. This decision is a big warning and lesson for all those candidates who were hoping to get the benefit of reservation after the completion of the application process.
This whole legal matter started when some candidates approached the court demanding to change their category from General or OBC to EWS after clearing the NEET UG exam and releasing the merit list at all India level. These students argued that they should get a chance to update their documents or show a new certificate during the counseling process. However, when the matter came before the court, the Justice examined all the arguments deeply and found that such a change has a direct impact on the entire selection process and the rights of other eligible candidates. The court made it clear that no candidate can be given the freedom to change his original category after the completion of the examination, going beyond the scope of the rules.
While hearing this case, the court commented in very strong words that it is not legally correct to change the rules of the game after it has started. The court in its judgment said that when the prescribed process of filling the application form was going on by the National Testing Agency (NTA), it was mandatory for all the candidates to select their correct category. If such changes are allowed after the examination is conducted, results are declared and merit list is prepared, it will affect the entire selection list and will be unfair to those students who had applied from the beginning on the basis of their correct documents and category. Citing past decisions of the Supreme Court, the court also reiterated that certificates issued after the cut-off or last date of application cannot be used as the basis for initial selection.
This important judicial decision teaches medical aspirants across the country that they need to be extremely cautious while filling the forms for any competitive examination. If a student wants to avail benefits under EWS or any other reserved category, it is mandatory for him/her to have a valid certificate before the prescribed last date of application. Claiming to change the category merely by getting the certificate made at the last moment during counselling, will not be legally valid. Experts also believe that students should always read the official information bulletin carefully and keep all the necessary documents ready well in advance so that any kind of mental trouble or legal trouble can be avoided in future.