High Court Quashes 2013 MBBS Admission Cancellation, Orders University To Issue Degree

The High Court has overturned an order from June 13, 2013, that cancelled MBBS student Shailja Pandey's admission due to her Madhya Pradesh domicile. The division bench, consisting of Acting Chief Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Pradeep Mittal, treated the case as a special instance. The court deemed the requirement for Pandey to have studied for at least three years within Madhya Pradesh as an additional condition, rather than the main condition that led to the cancellation of her admission.

The competent authority treated this additional requirement as the primary one and issued Pandey a domicile certificate, which she had honestly disclosed. The court emphasized that the actions that could have been taken at the time of her admission were initiated after she had already completed her MBBS in 2013. Over thirteen years had passed, and she was unable to practice due to the lack of a degree and registration with the Medical Council of India.

The court concluded that the degree would confirm her status as a doctor; however, she would require registration under the Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023, to practice. The National Medical Commission (NMC) was directed to evaluate Pandey's fitness to practice, and if a special test is required, the NMC may instruct the Medical University to conduct an examination or test to certify her eligibility. This entire process must be completed within three months.