Panaji:
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Goa Government to complete the postgraduate medical admissions for the academic year 2025–2026 at Goa Medical College (GMC) strictly under the reservation rules that were in force on November 3, 2025. The court categorically ruled that the State cannot alter reservation norms or admission rules midway through the ongoing process.
The HC bench instructed the State of Goa, the Public Health Department, the Goa Medical College, and the Directorate of Technical Education to adhere to the existing Admission Rules, 2024, and maintain the reservation framework that has been operational since 2023.
Ensuring Stability and Fairness
By directing the State to maintain the original rules, the Court emphasized that ongoing admissions must be protected from sudden policy changes. This ensures fairness for students who applied under the earlier system and prevents disruptions in the counselling and seat-allocation process.
Background: Government Review of Reservation Implementation
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Goa Government had recently asked GMC to provide a detailed explanation of how it applies the 100-point roster system for allocating PG medical seats among various reserved categories—Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).
This direction followed the increase in GMC’s PG seats—from 31 to 50—approved from the academic year 2024–25, adding 19 new seats. The government had sought clarity to ensure transparent, structured, and uniform implementation of reservation policies in PG medical education.
Current Reservation Structure at GMC
As per the State’s reservation policy:
- 41% of PG seats are reserved for Backward Classes
- 12% for ST
- 27% for OBC
- 2% for SC
- Additionally, 10% seats are reserved for candidates from the EWS category.
Court’s Directive
With the High Court’s order, the entire admission and counselling process for PG degree and diploma courses must proceed without any modification to:
- Admission Rules, 2024
- Reservation policy implemented since 2023
This ruling brings clarity and prevents students from being affected by regulatory changes introduced after the admission cycle had already commenced.
