MBBS Seat Denial: NTR Medical University Loses Supreme Court Appeal

NTR University of Health Sciences faced a legal setback in the Supreme Court after the apex court declined to intervene in a High Court ruling that ordered the university to pay ₹7 lakh compensation to a student who was denied an MBBS seat despite being eligible.

The matter pertains to Revuru Venkata Ashritha from Nellore, who appeared for NEET in 2022 and applied for admission under the NCC Open Women’s category. Although Ashritha had secured higher marks and merit compared to another candidate, a seat at Narayana Medical College in Nellore was allotted to the less qualified student. Challenging this allocation, Ashritha approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Upon reviewing the case, the High Court ruled on February 20 that awarding the MBBS seat to a student with lower NEET scores was unlawful. The court stated that Ashritha, who lost her chance at an MBBS seat and subsequently enrolled in a dental course, was entitled to compensation. It ordered NTR University of Health Sciences to pay ₹7 lakh in damages to Ashritha.

In response, the university filed a petition in the Supreme Court on March 6 seeking to challenge the High Court verdict. However, the bench comprising Justice M M Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal dismissed the appeal, stating there was no valid reason to interfere with the lower court's judgment.

Additionally, the Supreme Court clarified that this particular ruling by the High Court should not be cited as a precedent by others seeking compensation in the future.