Introduction
NEET-PG 2024 is the entrance examination for MD, MS, and diploma courses in the medical colleges on government as well as private in Maharashtra.
Reservation Policy: The reservation policy is one of the most important components in the admission process, aiming at providing a certain percentage of seats for various socially and economically backward classes (SEBC) / pre-qualified or weak sections of society thus making sure they contribute something towards Higher Education. Reservation in NEET-PG admissions in Maharashtra is complied with as per the principles of equal opportunity ensured by the Indian Constitution for social justice to various groups.
Constitutional Provisions Regarding Reservation
The Preamble and various articles of the Constitution of India lay down equality, non-discrimination, and specific provisions for advancement of deprived classes. The reservation system is based on quota eligibility in several articles that provide a constitutional basis for affirmative action, especially in educational and government work.
Constitutional Grounds
Article 15 (4): This provision permits the state to make provisions for the advancement of SC/ST and also allows it to make such provisions for any SEBC. This is the foundation of reservations in educational institutions such as NEET-PG.
Article 16 (4): Reservation in the matter of appointment or promotion to any post under the State shall be made in favor of a backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the States, are not adequately represented in the services under their control. Though not the main intent, this principle was then used to extend reservation in postgraduate medical courses by those who were handling education.
Article 46: This is a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, and it provides that the state shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections or save particularly SCs, STs, and SEBCs.
EWS Reservation: In 2019 January, the Constitution was amended to provide a reservation of 10% to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) under Article 15 (6) which is also applicable in admissions including NEET-PG.
Article 335: It provides that the claims of the SCs and STs shall be taken into consideration in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with affairs of the Union or of a state, which are not reserved for members of other backward classes. This indirectly impacts other reservations in Education like the Medical stream.
There are 70,292 reserved seats in the categories below:
Reservation Categories of Maharashtra NEET PG 2024
According to the NEET-PG 2024 Information Brochure released by the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, reservation policy in the state is detailed as per constitutional provisions
- Scheduled Castes (SC)
Scheduled Castes have a constitutional right to the reservation on grounds of their social and educational backwardness. In Maharashtra, 13% of the total seats are reserved for SC candidates in postgraduate medical courses.
- Scheduled Tribes (ST)
Since the SC and ST communities have been historically marginalized, provisions are made for them to enjoy special rights that enable them with equal opportunities for education and employment; therefore, a 7% reservation is provided for ST candidates in NEET-PG 2024.
- Other Backward Classes (OBC)
Maharashtra government has declared 19% reservation for OBCs in the state It is a follow-up to the uplifting of socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC) under Articles 15(4) and 16(4). In the OBC category, there are further sub groups of people called VJ (Vimukta Jatis), NT-B, NT-C, and NT-D communities.
- EWS Reservation
Maharashtra has a 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) as a result of a constitutional amendment in 2019. Every candidate who is not included in any other category like SC, ST, or OBC but matches some economic criteria defined by the government is eligible for this reservation.
- Persons with Disability (PWD)
In Maharashtra, a 5% reservation is provided for PWD candidates, as per the guidelines of the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. It’s available horizontally in each category.
- Orphan Category
The Maharashtra government also approved a 1% reservation for orphans in postgraduate medical courses in 2023. This falls within the social justice work assisting with education for orphans who no longer have family support.
- In-Service Reservation
Medical officers working in the state health services with difficult/remote area postings have 20% reservation of seats in Government medical colleges. Candidates in question are granted additional weightage as per the directions of Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations.
Eligibility for Reservation
The NEET-PG 2024 brochure will specify eligibility for candidates to claim reservations under this category. Some key points include:
Certification of caste and validity: candidates who claim employment protection for people in the SC, ST, or OBC zone must print within a week credible message broadcast to individuals on the spot by cable-arranged authority to ensure their family lineage proof. For the OBC category candidate must have their Non-Creamy Layer / NCL Certificate which should be valid up to 31 March 2025 or beyond.
Economic Criteria for EWS– Candidates claiming EWS reservation should possess an EWS certificate issued by the competent authority. The EWS category — where the annual income of the household does not exceed ₹8 lakh.
Orphan Certificate: Applicants who are applying for admission under the Orphan quota shall submit a certificate from the concerned authority.
In-Service Candidates: Must submit an employer issued “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) as the in-service reservation, and weightage in marks are made for the period and place of service.
Constitutional Challenges and Orders of Court
The Supreme Court has also been examining, for the past few years now, Maharashtra’s reservation policy with respect to NEET-PG admissions. The effectiveness of reservations in the state is prompted by some major court judgments along with government resolutions.
In a major setback to medical aspirants, the Supreme Court of India today quashed the Uttar Pradesh Common Entrance Test (UPPGMEE) as unconstitutional but ordered that even the postgraduate (PG) medical seats would cease to be carried forward after this academic year. This ensures that any reserved seats are all taken in the current admission cycle, or they will be lost.
SEBC (Maratha community) also was challenged as to the inclusion of the Maratha community under the OBC reservation, it is sub judice. The future of the SEBC category reservation policy in Maharashtra will depend on the outcome of this case.
Conclusion
The reservation policy for NEET-PG 2024 in Maharashtra is based on the constitutional mandate of social justice and equality. It guarantees that aspirants from socially and educationally disadvantaged groups known as SC/ST/OBCs (without creamy layer) and also the Economically Weaker Section get equitable access to higher medical studies. It is in line with the state’s respect for constitutional principles of affirmative action and equal opportunity, read with merit-based admission in competitive exams like NEET-PG. While the policy continues to wend its way through changes and legal challenges in the state, at heart it is still about educating those who need help the most.
The guidelines must be followed and proper documentation should be submitted to avail the benefits of this reservation policy by candidates for admission under the reserved categories.