The Supreme Court of India has delivered a landmark judgment in favor of Atharva Chaturvedi, a 19-year-old student from Madhya Pradesh, clearing the path for his medical education. Utilizing its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the bench directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh to provide provisional MBBS admission to the student for the 2025-26 academic session. The case centered on the denial of admission under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota in private medical colleges.
Academic Background and the Denial of Admission
Atharva Chaturvedi had successfully cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) twice. In his second attempt, he secured 530 marks, a score that qualifies for admission under the EWS category. Despite his merit, he was denied a seat in private medical colleges. The primary reason cited by the authorities was the absence of specific provisions or notifications regarding the implementation of the EWS quota in private medical institutions within the state. This administrative gap left the qualified candidate without a seat for two consecutive years.
Self-Advocacy and the '10-Minute' Plea in Court
After failing to secure relief from the High Court, Atharva decided to approach the Supreme Court. In a notable display of determination, the 19-year-old chose to represent himself instead of hiring legal counsel. During the proceedings before a bench led by Justice Surya Kant, Atharva requested the court for just 10 minutes to present his arguments. The bench, surprised by the confidence of a student who had only completed his 12th grade, granted him the opportunity to speak. His persistence and clarity in explaining the legal grievance played a crucial role in the court's decision to reconsider the matter.
The Dispute Over EWS Quota in Private Institutions
The core of the legal battle involved the applicability of EWS reservations in private medical colleges in the absence of a formal state notification. Atharva argued that as an eligible candidate, he shouldn't be penalized for the state government's failure to implement the reservation policy effectively, while he contended that the lack of policy clarity was a systemic failure that directly impacted the fundamental rights of deserving students. While the court had previously acknowledged the merit of his arguments, it had initially hesitated to grant immediate relief due to technicalities.
Supreme Court Observations on Student Rights
Justice Surya Kant's bench observed that a student's career shouldn't be jeopardized by administrative delays or the state's failure to issue timely notifications. The court emphasized that if a candidate meets all eligibility criteria and belongs to the reserved category, procedural hurdles shouldn't become a barrier to education. The bench noted that the case warranted the use of Article 142 to ensure complete justice, as the student had demonstrated both academic merit and the resolve to fight for his legal rights.
Final Verdict and Directions to Authorities
In its final order, the Supreme Court issued specific mandates to the National Medical Commission and the Madhya Pradesh state government, while the court directed that Atharva Chaturvedi be granted provisional admission to the MBBS course for the 2025-26 session. On top of that, the state government was ordered to allot a medical college to the student within a period of seven days. This ruling sets a significant precedent for the enforcement of EWS reservation policies in private educational institutions across the region.