NEET PG counselling Supreme Court order: LIVE UPDATES

The Supreme Court will deliver its order today in the plea relating to NEET postgraduate (PG) admissions in which reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) introduced by the Central government in the All-India Quota (AIQ) seats in State government medical institutions has been challenged [Neil Aurelio Nunes v. Union of India].

The verdict will be pronounced by a Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna.

The Bench during the hearing of the case yesterday, had remarked that its order will take into account "national interest" and NEET counselling has to begin soon in view of the same.

The counselling for NEET PG courses has been held up due to the case before the top court.

"We have been hearing this for two days, we must start counselling in national interest," Justice Chandrachud had remarked before the Bench rose after its hearing yesterday.

The case relates to petitions challenging reservation for OBC and EWS introduced by the Central government in the AIQ seats in State government medical institutions.

One of the aspects the Court is specifically examining is the feasibility of having ₹8 lakh as a cap to avail the EWS quota for PG medical admissions.

During the hearing of the case on October 25, the Central government had assured the Court that the counselling for PG medical courses will not start till the Court decides the matter.

The Central government had subsequently told the Supreme Court on November 25 that it is proposing to revisit the criteria for determining the EWS reservation. It then constituted an expert committee for the same.

The ongoing counselling process for NEET PG courses has been put on hold due to the case and this led to doctors in Delhi protesting against the government demanding that the hearing of the case be expedited and the counselling and admission process be completed as early as possible.

The Centre filed an affidavit before the top court on January 1, stating that it has decided to stick to the existing criteria of ₹8 lakh annual income limit for determination of EWS reservation with respect to the ongoing admissions to the NEET PG courses.

The protests by doctors also prompted the Centre to seek an early hearing in the matter due to which the case came to be listed this week.

Read more about yesterday's hearing here.

Live Updates from today below.