Centre Signals Return of Vacant NEET-SS Seats to Tamil Nadu In-Service Doctors

The Union government has told the Supreme Court that it is willing to return all vacant super speciality medical seats to Tamil Nadu for in-service government doctors. The submission was made on Thursday before a Bench led by Justice P.S. Narasimha.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, said the qualifying percentile for super speciality admissions would be lowered, though the exact extent of the reduction has not been finalised.

Senior Advocate P. Wilson, representing the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association, argued that the State urgently needs the seats back. He noted that many eligible candidates, particularly doctors serving in rural areas, are waiting for the percentile to be relaxed.

In an earlier hearing, the Centre had said that of the 152 seats transferred by Tamil Nadu, around 40 remained vacant. The association has contended that all these seats should be restored, pointing to 111 candidates on the waiting list who could become eligible if the percentile is reduced.

The association has challenged what it calls the premature diversion of super speciality seats earmarked for in-service doctors to the All India Quota. It has also sought protection for the State's in-service reservation policy.

Tamil Nadu had set aside 219 super speciality seats for in-service candidates for the 2025-2026 academic year. After two rounds of counselling, only 68 candidates joined, leaving 152 seats unfilled.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 8, when the Centre is expected to specify the quantum of percentile reduction.