'Domicile-based reservations unconstitutional': Supreme Court on quota in PG medical courses

A bench comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice SVN Bhatti delivered the verdict

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that domicile-based reservations in Post-Graduate medical courses on the basis of residence would be violative of Article 14 and is constitutionally impermissible.

A bench comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice SVN Bhatti delivered the verdict on a bunch of appeals filed over admission to the Post-Graduate medical course at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh.

"We are all domiciles in the territory of India. There is nothing like a provincial or state domicile... there is only one domicile. We are all residents of India. We have the right to choose residence anywhere in India and to carry out trade and profession anywhere in the country," the court said. "Constitution also gives us the right to choose admission in educational institutions across India."