Supreme Court: Medical Seats are ‘National Resource’, Must be Filled if Vacated Due to Fraud

The Supreme Court has ruled that a medical seat in a government institution is a "precious national resource" held in public trust, and allowing it to remain vacant due to administrative lethargy subverts the NEET-UG exam's purpose.

Dismissing the National Medical Commission’s appeal, the Court said authorities are duty-bound to offer seats vacated due to fraud to the next eligible candidate.

It noted that failure to do so defeats the purpose of the NEET-UG process.

Invoking Article 142, the Court ordered admission for the respondent in the 2026-27 session, noting that her career was stalled for three years due to the NMC's refusal to act after a previous candidate's forgery was discovered.

[The Secretary, National Medical Commission v, Sanjana Thakur & Ors]