The petitioner’s application listed her as the OCI candidate, and she appeared in the examination in that capacity; the results declared on 13.05.2023 showed that she had secured 96.73 percentile, and her overall rank was 1902. It is asserted that this list also recognized her in OCI category. Her roll number was mentioned in the provisionally qualified list of candidates published on 13.05.2023. (Para 4)
On the same day, the petitioner was informed that she would be treated as a Foreign National as she had disclosed her status to be as OCI Candidate (Para 5)
On 15.06.2023, the result of online mock round was announced. The petitioner was allotted the ‘pediatrics’ discipline in AIIMS. This is evident from the announcement of online mock seat allocation before the first round published on 15.06.2023. In light of these developments, suddenly on 19.06.2023, she was informed that, she would no longer be treated as OCI candidate, but would be considered in the category of “Indian National”. This was published by virtue of a public notice No. 119/2023; an e-mail communication was received by the petitioner to that effect on 19.06.2023 itself. (Para 6)
In the present case, although the OCI Card relied upon by the petitioner on 04.08.2022, the fact that she was in fact issued the OCI registration card first, on 02.11.2015. In such circumstances, the petitioner’s eligibility to claim the benefit of OCI card holder in terms of the ruling in Anushka (supra) is undeniable. The rejection of her candidature at this stage, i.e. on 19.06.2023 is not supportable in law. She is consequently directed to be considered in remaining counselling rounds by the AIIMS and all participating institutions for PG Medical seats. It is clarified that the consideration would be regarding seats that are unfilled on the date of this judgment whether reserved for SC/ST/OBC or other categories and such as specially earmarked for Bhutanese candidates etc. if they can be filled by other candidates, like her. Furthermore, this facility should be open to the petitioner as well as other candidates based upon the available records of those issued OCI cards prior to 04.03.2021 and who can participate in such counseling having regard to their performance in the NEET test, and their ranking. (Para 17)
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
2023 STPL(Web) 228 SC
[2023 INSC 782]
Pallavi Vs. Union Of India & Ors.
Writ Petition (Civil) No(S). 642 of 2023-Decided on 1-9-2023
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