Ritik Kumar · September 9, 2025 
New Delhi, January 29, 2025:The Supreme Court of India, in its recent judgment (2025 INSC 125), delivered a significant ruling on the contentious issue of state domicile reservations in NEET PG admissions. The Court categorically held that once a candidate secures admission to an MBBS course through the all-India quota, the candidate cannot later claim state domicile preference for postgraduate medical admissions.
The Court issued this ruling in response to a petition that challenged domicile-based reservations favoring state residents in PG medical seats. The bench, headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale, emphasized that postgraduate medical education must remain merit-based to ensure quality healthcare across the nation.
The Court underlined that states possess the right to regulate admissions in their institutions, but they cannot compromise the principle of equality and uniform standards in medical education. The judges pointed out that NEET, as a central examination, maintains fairness and transparency, and domicile-based advantages would dilute its purpose.
This ruling will impact medical aspirants across India, especially those who move to different states for undergraduate MBBS education and later seek domicile benefits for PG seats.
Key Highlights of the Supreme Court Order
The judgment drew attention to multiple constitutional provisions and past rulings, and it reaffirmed that:
NEET PG functions as a national-level exam, and merit must remain the primary basis for admission.
Domicile reservations for PG seats cannot override all-India standards, particularly when students already secured MBBS admissions under the national quota.
States can provide reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, but geographical domicile-based preference remains unconstitutional in the PG admission context.
The decision enforces uniform standards of medical education and prevents regional disparities in the availability of doctors.
The Court further clarified that postgraduate seats must be filled based on NEET PG ranking without domicile advantage, thereby encouraging candidates to compete fairly at a national level.
Many experts in medical education welcomed this move, arguing that meritocracy in postgraduate training will enhance the overall quality of healthcare professionals in India. However, some state governments and student groups sought domicile-based protection, citing the need to retain doctors in their states.
What This Means for Students
With this verdict, MBBS graduates aspiring for PG seats must now prepare for NEET PG knowing that state domicile will not provide any additional benefit. Admissions will depend purely on performance and category-based constitutional reservations.
Legal experts believe this judgment sets a precedent for all future admission disputes, reinforcing the idea that national merit should prevail over local preference at the postgraduate medical level.
For students, this ruling underscores the importance of strategic preparation, nationwide competition awareness, and clarity on admission policies before planning their PG medical journey.
Source: https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2019/15961/15961_2019_4_1502_59041_Judgement_29-Jan-2025.pdf
