New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a petition seeking to stop authorities from transferring 152 vacant in-service super-speciality medical seats in Tamil Nadu for the academic year 2025–26 to the All India quota.

A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Centre and other respondents, including the Tamil Nadu government, asking them to submit their replies to the petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association.

While hearing the matter, the bench observed, “A government doctor, if (he or she) acquires skills, will serve public health better than a private doctor.”

The court further noted that the in-service quota represents a distinct category, as such candidates are simultaneously working professionals and students.

The matter has been listed for further hearing in July.

During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel highlighted that 152 in-service super-speciality seats in Tamil Nadu medical institutions had been earmarked for the state for the 2025–26 academic session but remained unfilled.

The plea seeks directions to prevent these seats from being surrendered to the All India quota until the completion of the second round of national counselling. It also requests that in-service candidates be allowed to compete for the surrendered seats during later rounds, including mop-up counselling, if the qualifying percentile drops below 50 after the second round.

Earlier, on June 4, Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin urged the Chief Minister to take steps to ensure that these 152 super-speciality seats are not transferred to the central pool.

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He noted that out of 430 seats reserved for in-service doctors based on NEET 2025 results, only 63 were filled during counselling, leaving 152 seats vacant after the second round.