MP High Court issues notice on plea challenging exclusion of Central PSU doctors from NEET PG in-service quota

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Published 6 November 2026

Case: Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma and Ors. v. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Ors.
Court: High Court of Madhya Pradesh
Bench: Justice Vivek Agrawal
Statutes: Constitution of India — s.14
Source: LiveLaw

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

In Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma and Ors. v. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Ors., the Madhya Pradesh High Court (Justice Vivek Agrawal) issued notice on a petition challenging the exclusion of doctors working in Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) from the 30% in-service quota for NEET PG admissions in Madhya Pradesh. The petitioners argued this exclusion violates Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

Ratio Decidendi · Legal Principle Established

The court issued notice to the respondents to consider the challenge to the exclusion of Central PSU doctors from the in-service quota for NEET PG admissions, based on an alleged violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.

Practice & Procedural Impact for Advocates

Advocates representing Central PSU doctors should highlight the discriminatory nature of excluding them from in-service quotas, citing Article 14. Litigants should prepare to demonstrate how their service is comparable to state-employed doctors for quota eligibility.

Key Legal Takeaways

1The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought a response regarding the exclusion of Central PSU doctors from the NEET PG in-service quota.
2The petition argues that such exclusion is discriminatory and violates Article 14 of the Constitution.
3The case highlights the ongoing debate about the scope and eligibility for in-service reservations in medical admissions.

The Legal Issue The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notice in a petition filed by doctors working in Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) challenging their exclusion from the 30% in-service quota for NEET PG admissions in Madhya Pradesh. The petitioners, Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma and others, contended that the State of Madhya Pradesh's policy, which grants a 30% reservation to in-service candidates for NEET PG admissions, arbitrarily excludes doctors employed by Central PSUs. They argued that this exclusion is discriminatory and violates Article 14 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws.

Court's Reasoning Justice Vivek Agrawal, presiding over the matter, considered the arguments presented by the petitioners. The core of the petitioners' contention was that there is no rational basis to differentiate between doctors serving the state government and those serving Central PSUs, especially when both contribute to public health services. The court, after a preliminary review of the arguments, found sufficient grounds to issue notice to the State of Madhya Pradesh and other respondents. This indicates that the court acknowledges the prima facie merit in the petitioners' claim regarding the potential violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

What Follows The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the respondents, including the State of Madhya Pradesh, to file their replies to the petition. The issuance of notice means that the court will now hear the arguments from both sides before making a final determination on whether the exclusion of Central PSU doctors from the in-service quota is legally tenable or if it indeed infringes upon their fundamental right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The case will proceed for further hearings after the respondents submit their replies.