Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court upheld a high court decision rejecting the Punjab government’s NRI quota notification for MBBS admissions, labeling it as a fraud.
Definition Expansion: The Punjab government had widened the definition of NRI candidates to include relatives, which was criticized by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for potential misuse.
Punjab’s Argument: Punjab’s legal counsel claimed that states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh used broader definitions for their NRI quotas.
Chief Justice’s Dismissal: Chief Justice DY Chandrachud dismissed this argument, calling it a “money-spinning tactic.”
Call for Elimination: The Chief Justice emphasized the need to eliminate the NRI quota, stating it undermines the integrity of the education system.
Impact on Candidates: The NRI quota deprives deserving candidates of admission to medical programs.
Legal Status: The Chief Justice referred to the NRI quota as “blatantly illegal,” affirming the court’s commitment to equitable admissions processes.