Centre asks SC to advance hearing on EWS

The Centre on Monday urged the Supreme Court to advance the hearing regarding 10 per cent EWS reservation in postgraduate medical courses in Central quota seats from the current academic year, to January 4 (Tuesday) instead of scheduled hearing on January 6.

Citing ‘urgency’ Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in a mentioning sought advancing the hearing to Tuesday instead of the scheduled hearing on Thursday. In reply, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud heading a bench said that he will consult with Chief Justice N.V. Ramana if a special bench can be constituted on Tuesday or Wednesday to hear the matter.

Solicitor General Mehta mentioned, “This is regarding EWS reservation. There is some urgency. Please have it tomorrow”, to which Justice Chandrachud said, “I will have a word with the Chief Justice since Justice Surya Kant is with CJI and Justice Vikram Nath is on another bench. I will see if a special bench can be constituted to hear this.”

The petitions challenging OBC/EWS reservation in NEET-PG courses from the current academic year is being heard by a three-judge bench comprising Justice Chandrachud, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Vikram Nath.

The petitioner students have challenged the July

29, 2921, notification providing 27% quota to OBC and 10% to EWS category in 15% under graduate and 50% post graduate All India quota (AIQ) seats effective from the current academic session 20212022.

In the last hearing of the matter on November

25, 2021, the Centre had told the top court that it has taken a decision to revisit the criteria for determining the economically weaker sections for admissions under reservation to the postgraduate medical courses falling within all India quota and is putting on hold the NEET counselling till then.

The Centre has constituted an expert committee to examine the EWS criterion.