Gujarat High Court Denies State Quota MBBS Admission to Student Born in Gujarat but Educated in Maharashtra

The Gujarat High Court has upheld the rejection of an MBBS aspirant’s application under the Gujarat State Quota, ruling that being born in the state does not establish eligibility when the student completed Class 10 and Class 12 outside Gujarat.

The student, belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category, had approached the court after being denied admission under the state quota. The family argued that the student had studied in Maharashtra because the father, an IDBI Bank employee, was transferred to Pune.

Court Upholds Rejection of State Quota Claim

After completing schooling in Maharashtra, the student cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and applied for an MBBS seat under Gujarat’s State Quota.

The application was rejected because the student had completed both board examinations outside Gujarat. After a single judge dismissed the challenge, the student appealed to a Division Bench of the High Court.

The Division Bench upheld the earlier ruling, holding that the student did not qualify as a local student under the applicable state admission policy.

Student Cites Gujarat Birth, Domicile and SC Category

The student’s counsel argued that the single judge had failed to consider key aspects of the case, including the student’s Gujarat domicile, birth in the state and NEET score, which was reportedly above the cutoff for the SC category.

The petitioner contended that these factors should have been considered while assessing eligibility for admission under the state quota.

However, the court upheld the rejection based on the applicable eligibility rules governing students who complete their schooling outside Gujarat.

Government Explains Exceptions for Certain Employees’ Children

During the proceedings, the state government argued that specific provisions allow children of Gujarat government employees posted outside the state on deputation to claim admission under the State Quota.

According to the government, the same benefit does not automatically extend to children of employees from other states who were posted in Gujarat and later transferred elsewhere.

The government also referred to provisions concerning children of employees of organisations such as the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and personnel of the Navy. Their eligibility depends on the applicable admission rules and conditions.

It further argued that belonging to a reserved category does not, by itself, guarantee eligibility for a state-quota seat. Applicants must also satisfy the other prescribed admission criteria.

Student Limited to All-India Quota

With the Division Bench upholding the earlier order, the student cannot claim an MBBS seat under Gujarat’s State Quota on the grounds raised in the petition.

The student remains eligible to compete for admission through the All-India Quota, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.

The ruling highlights the distinction between being born in Gujarat or holding domicile status and meeting the specific educational criteria prescribed for admission under the state quota.