SC hears MCI, State Medical Council on incentive marks weightage

The Medical Council of India and the state government of Rajasthan made their submissions to the Supreme Court regarding the incentive marks awarded to in-service doctors for PG admissions, on Monday

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday heard submissions. The court was hearing a plea by non-service MBBS candidates who have objected to these incentive marks ,after they lost out to in-service doctors in the PG admission merit list.

The MCI informed the court about its Regulation 9, which reads: "In determining the merit of candidates who are in the service of government or a public authority, weightage in marks may be given by the government/competent authority as an incentive @ 10% of the marks obtained for each year of service in specified remote or difficult areas of the state up to the maximum of 30% of the marks obtained in NEET."

The court was also informed by the State Government's Counsel, about the ongoing PG counselling, which includes allotment of specialties to candidates as per the merit list prepared, following the Rajasthan High Court order, released on April 7 ..

The state government after having finished counselling, has issued a list of allotted PG seats along with specialties .

The non-service candidates said that though the SC had allowed the counselling process to continue, it was subject to the final order of the court.

A list of 563 candidates with allotted specialties has been issued by the state government. However, the list also mentions that allotments are subject to the decision of SC in the SLP, filed by Dr Amit Bagra and other doctors against the state of Rajasthan.

"The court will hear us on Tuesday. Since the SC has directed the state government to continue with the counselling, the state government has issued an allotment list for courses. But, the court may cancel the list depending on the judgment in the case," Dr Bagra said.

Dr Jitendra Bagaria, an in-service doctor, who is spearheading the legal battle told the TOI, "Out of the 563 candidates who secured specialties as per their choice during counselling, non-service candidates received 153 of them and in-service 410. Non-service candidates too have participated in the process of counselling."