GMCH Chandigarh PG Seat Row: Health Ministry Urged to Intervene Against AIQ Reallocation

eta Description: Resident doctors and student bodies at GMCH Chandigarh are urging the Union Health Ministry to stop the controversial Seat Reallocation of PG Medical Admission seats from the State Quota to the All India Quota (AIQ). This move, following recent Supreme Court orders, could significantly impact local NEET PG qualified candidates. Learn about the ongoing dispute, the implications for Medical Counselling, and the call for fair play in PG Medical Admission across India.

A significant controversy has erupted around PG Medical Admission seats at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh, prompting an urgent plea to the Union Health Ministry for intervention. Resident doctors and student associations are fiercely opposing a recent decision to reallocate a portion of the State Quota seats to the All India Quota (AIQ), arguing that this move disproportionately disadvantages local candidates and potentially exceeds established norms for Medical Counselling. The dispute, stemming from recent judicial pronouncements on domicile-based reservations, highlights the intricate challenges in balancing national merit with institutional and regional preferences in PG Medical Admission.

The core of the issue at GMCH Chandigarh revolves around the interpretation and implementation of Supreme Court judgments that have impacted domicile reservations for postgraduate medical courses. While the apex court ruled against blanket domicile-based reservations, it allowed for limited institutional preference. However, the subsequent notification by the Chandigarh administration regarding the reallocation of vacant Union Territory (UT) pool seats to the AIQ has sparked widespread concern among students who have qualified through NEET PG and are eyeing opportunities within their own region. This move potentially pushes the AIQ percentage in GMCH Chandigarh significantly beyond the standard 50%, a precedent that could have far-reaching implications for PG Medical Admission across other institutions.

The Controversial Seat Reallocation at GMCH Chandigarh

The controversy at GMCH Chandigarh originated from a series of legal developments concerning PG Medical Admission. Initially, GMCH followed a distribution of seats into State Quota and All India Quota, with the State Quota further divided into institutional preference and domicile-based seats.

• Supreme Court's Ruling on Domicile: Earlier this year, the Supreme Court, through its judgment on January 29, held that domicile-based reservations for postgraduate medical admissions are unconstitutional, citing violations of Article 14. A subsequent clarification on March 24 reiterated that residence-based reservations are not permissible, allowing only institutional preference to a limited extent.
• UT Administration's Initial Response: Following these rulings, the UT administration initially issued a notice on April 9, stating that the vacant UT pool seats from the abolished domicile quota would be converted into Institutional Preference (IP) for the third counselling round. This decision was generally seen as aligning with the spirit of the Supreme Court's pronouncements.
• The June 3 Notification: However, on June 3, 2025, GMCH Chandigarh issued a fresh notification for the third counselling round, stating that half of the remaining 32 State Quota seats for postgraduate admissions would now be filled based on All India Merit under NEET PG, essentially reassigning these seats to the AIQ. This abrupt shift implies that the AIQ could rise to as high as 75% of the total PG Medical Admission seats at GMCH, significantly exceeding the National Medical Commission (NMC) norm of 50% for AIQ.
• Disadvantage to Local Candidates: This proposed Seat Reallocation would severely limit opportunities for MBBS graduates from GMCH Chandigarh and other local institutions seeking to pursue postgraduate studies in their home city. Resident doctors and affected parents argue that this puts GMCH students at a significant disadvantage, making GMCH potentially the only college in India with such a high AIQ percentage.

The rapid changes in policy, despite previous court directives, have led to immense uncertainty and frustration among aspirants, compelling them to seek higher intervention.

Why Health Ministry Intervention is Being Sought

The call for the Union Health Ministry's intervention stems from the belief that the current Seat Reallocation at GMCH Chandigarh is not only unjust but also deviates from uniform national policies for PG Medical Admission.

• Violation of NMC Norms: Parents and student bodies argue that increasing the AIQ to 75% directly violates the NMC's established norm of 50% for AIQ and 50% for State Quota (which includes institutional preference where applicable). They contend that if this change is enforced at GMCH Chandigarh, then a uniform 75% AIQ rule should be applied across all medical colleges in India to ensure fairness and equal rights for all NEET PG qualified candidates.
• Protection of Local Aspirants' Interests: The primary concern is to protect the rightful interests of students who have completed their MBBS from GMCH Chandigarh or are domiciled in the UT. These students rely on the institutional or state quota for their PG Medical Admission opportunities. The reallocation to AIQ drastically reduces their chances of securing a seat in their own institution.
• Need for Uniformity and Clarity: Stakeholders are appealing to the Health Ministry, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), and the NMC to address this discrepancy and establish a uniform and fair national policy for Medical Counselling. They emphasize that the current situation creates an uneven playing field and ambiguity in the admission process.
• Previous Legal Challenges: While earlier pleas challenging the UT administration's move were dismissed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which upheld the reallocation of vacant UT quota seats to AIQ, the affected groups believe that the fundamental issue of exceeding the 50% AIQ limit and its impact on local candidates requires a higher-level review and policy clarification from the Ministry.

This pressing issue underscores the need for clear and consistent policies in Medical Counselling to ensure equitable opportunities for all NEET PG aspirants.

Implications and Future of PG Medical Admissions

The ongoing dispute at GMCH Chandigarh has broader implications for PG Medical Admission policies nationwide. The resolution of this matter could set a precedent for how future vacant or reallocated seats are managed, impacting numerous NEET PG qualified candidates.

• Potential for Wider Debate: If GMCH Chandigarh is allowed to operate with a 75% AIQ, it could spark similar demands or challenges from other institutions or states, potentially leading to a re-evaluation of the 50:50 AIQ-State Quota distribution that has been the cornerstone of Medical Counselling.
• Impact on Counselling Rounds: The uncertainty surrounding these seats can cause delays and complications in subsequent rounds of PG Medical Admission counselling, affecting students' ability to make informed decisions about their career paths.
• Role of Policy-Makers: This situation highlights the critical role of the Union Health Ministry and regulatory bodies like the NMC in providing clear guidelines and swift resolutions to ensure a fair and transparent admission process. Aspirants must stay informed through official channels and reliable education news sources. For regular updates on medical education and admissions, students can visit https://www.onlyeducation.in/exams-list/medical.
• Student Welfare: Ultimately, the outcome will directly impact the career trajectories of many aspiring doctors. Ensuring fair and transparent PG Medical Admission is paramount for maintaining the integrity of the medical education system and fostering a sense of trust among the student community.

As the matter awaits the Health Ministry's intervention, all eyes are on the developments at GMCH Chandigarh, hoping for a resolution that upholds justice and equity for all NEET PG qualified candidates.