Junior Resident’s Stipend Counts as Income for EWS Eligibility: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that remuneration received by a junior resident doctor constitutes “income” for determining eligibility under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota.

Upholding the CAT’s decision, the Court observed that the substance of payment, not its label, is decisive.

Since the stipend was paid monthly with salary slips and TDS deductions, it bore the attributes of a salary rather than a scholarship.

Finding that the doctor’s income exceeded the ₹8 lakh threshold, the Court dismissed the appeal and upheld cancellation of his EWS certificate.

[Dr. Bahubali N. Shetti v. All India Institute of Medical Sciences & Anr]