In a major relief for NEET-PG 2024 candidates, the Telangana High Court has ruled in favor of the petitioners and revoked the controversial Government Order (GO) 148. This judgement comes as a respite for hundreds of students affected by the local quota eligibility changes introduced by the GO.
Background on GO 148
GO 148, issued on October 28, 2024, amended the Telangana Medical Colleges (Admission into Postgraduate Medical Courses) Rules, 2021. According to the amendment, students who completed their schooling in other states, despite earning their MBBS degrees from Telangana, were deemed ineligible for postgraduate counselling in Telangana. The timing of the GO, just two days before NEET-PG counselling was scheduled to begin on October 31, 2024, created widespread concern and confusion.
High Court Judgement
Hearing the case on December 17, 2024, the Telangana High Court revoked GO 148, siding with the petitioners who argued that the amendment was unfair and unjustified. The order also struck down a similar rule under GO 149, which pertained to AYUSH postgraduate admissions.
The court order, stated:
“In view of the preceding analysis, Explanation (b) to Rule VIII (ii) of Telangana Medical Colleges (Admission into Post Graduate Medical Courses) Rules, 2021 as amended by G.O.Ms.No.148, dated 28.10.2024, and Explanation (b) to Rule 8 (ii) of the Telangana Admission into Post Graduate (AYUSH) Courses Rules, 2024 issued vide G.O.Ms.No.149, dated 28.10.2024, are struck down.”
The judgement clarified:
“Such petitioners who have completed MBBS/BAMS/BHMS course from the State of Telangana or have completed MBBS/BAMS/BHMS from ‘local area’ as defined in the Presidential Order, 1974 are held entitled to participate in the counselling for admission to post graduate courses in the State of Telangana in respect of seats for local candidates for the Academic Year 2024-25.”
Impact on Students
Around 400 students who completed their MBBS degrees in Telangana were directly impacted by GO 148. Many of these candidates had already missed opportunities in All India Quota (AIQ) counselling due to the uncertainty caused by the state-level quota amendments.
Dr Yaganti Siva Rama Krishna, one of the petitioners, urged the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) to begin the NEET-PG 2024 counselling process without further delay.
“Many Telangana students have lost seats in AIQ counselling because of this delay. Therefore, we are urging the university and government to expedite the counselling process immediately,” he stated.
Expressing gratitude to the legal team, Dr Krishna acknowledged their efforts:
“We laud them for their patience and the way they handled the case. There have been seven or eight hearings in total.”
What’s Next?
According to an earlier statement from KNRUHS Vice-Chancellor Dr B Karunakar Reddy, the university was awaiting the High Court’s final judgement before proceeding with the counselling process. Now that the court has ruled, NEET-PG 2024 counselling in Telangana is expected to begin anytime soon.
The ruling has brought much-needed clarity and relief to NEET-PG aspirants who had been caught in a prolonged state of uncertainty. It also ensures fair participation for candidates who earned their MBBS degrees from Telangana, regardless of their schooling location.
Stay tuned for further updates on the NEET-PG 2024 counselling schedule in Telangana.