Chhattisgarh HC Institutional Quota Cap at 50% Continues to Impact PG Medical Seats

The Chhattisgarh High Court has recently reaffirmed its stance on the 50% institutionalquota cap for postgraduate medical admissions. As of 30 January 2026, the state ismandated to fill the remaining 50% of seats through open merit, ensuring a balancedcompetitive landscape. This ruling directly impacts the seat matrix for all governmentand private medical colleges in the state for the current 2025-26 academic session The legal landscape for postgraduate medical education in Chhattisgarh has undergone a definitive shift following the High Court's intervention regarding seat reservation policies. As of 30 January 2026, the 50% cap on the institutional quota remains the governing rule for all MD/MS admissions in the state. This ruling, delivered by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice BD Guru, ensures that while local graduates receive preference for half the seats, the remaining half must be accessible to all eligible candidates based strictly on national merit.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has recently reaffirmed its stance on the 50% institutionalquota cap for postgraduate medical admissions. As of 30 January 2026, the state ismandated to fill the remaining 50% of seats through open merit, ensuring a balancedcompetitive landscape. This ruling directly impacts the seat matrix for all governmentand private medical colleges in the state for the current 2025-26 academic session

The legal landscape for postgraduate medical education in Chhattisgarh has undergone a definitive shift following the High Court's intervention regarding seat reservation policies. As of 30 January 2026, the 50% cap on the institutional quota remains the governing rule for all MD/MS admissions in the state. This ruling, delivered by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice BD Guru, ensures that while local graduates receive preference for half the seats, the remaining half must be accessible to all eligible candidates based strictly on national merit.

Understanding the 50% Quota Ruling

The High Court's decision was prompted by challenges to the Chhattisgarh Medical Postgraduate Admission Rules, which previously gave near-absolute preference to students who completed their MBBS within the state. The court found that such a high degree of preference diluted the principle of merit required for specialized medical training.

• Institutional Preference: Reserved for candidates who graduated from NMC-recognized colleges within Chhattisgarh.
• Open Category: 50% of seats are now open to all, including residents who studied outside the state.
• Conversion Rule: If institutional quota seats remain vacant after the initial rounds, they must be converted to the open category in the mop-up round.
• Legal Basis: The ruling aligns with the Supreme Court's verdict in the Dr. Tanvi Behl case, which prohibits excessive domicile-based reservation in PG courses.

Impact on Counseling and Student Strategy

The ongoing counseling sessions for NEET PG 2025 in Chhattisgarh have been significantly altered by this cap. Candidates who were previously disadvantaged by the old "state-only" preference system now have a realistic chance of securing clinical specialties in government colleges in Raipur and Bilaspur.

• Increased Competition: The open category will now see a surge in the cutoff ranks due to the inclusion of a wider pool of students.
• Transparency: The Directorate of Medical Education (DME) Chhattisgarh has been directed to publish a transparent seat matrix reflecting these changes.
• Fresh Counseling: The High Court recently ordered a restart of the allotment process to ensure strict compliance with the revised institutional rules.
• Resource: For national-level counseling comparisons, visit the Medical Counselling Committee.

Conclusion

The High Court's decision to cap the institutional quota at 50% represents a landmark move toward meritocracy in Chhattisgarh. By striking a balance between protecting local interests and upholding national standards, the court has ensured that the most qualified doctors occupy specialized medical seats. As the state prepares for fresh counseling rounds, candidates must reassess their choices based on the new seat matrix and prioritize institutions where their merit rank aligns with the expanded open category opportunities.

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