Supreme Court Ends 'NRI Quota Business' in Medical Admissions

The Supreme Court dismissed petitions challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that quashed the amendment to NRI quota admissions in Punjab's medical colleges. The court labeled the amended conditions for NRI admissions as 'fraud' and emphasized the need to end such practices.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declared that the 'NRI quota business' must cease, rejecting petitions against a Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling that nullified a Punjab government notification altering conditions for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota admissions in state medical colleges. A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, labeled the amended conditions by the Punjab government as 'fraud'.

'We must stop this NRI quota business now. This is complete fraud, we have to put an end to the fraud. This is what we are doing to our education system. Judges know what they are dealing with. The High Court order is absolutely right,' stated the apex court. The court was hearing three petitions opposed to the Punjab and Haryana High Court's September 11 decision, which had overturned an August 20 Punjab government notification, expanding the definition of 'NRI' candidates to include relatives of NRIs.

The High Court annulled the notification amending NRI quota conditions for MBBS admissions in state medical institutions, arguing that broadening the definition was 'arguably unjustified.' After considering the case arguments, the Supreme Court concluded, 'All three petitions dismissed. Let us put a lid on this. This fraud has come to an end. This NRI business is nothing but a fraud. This comes to an end now.' (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)