Overview
- The Supreme Court directed Tamil Nadu to revert 151 vacant super‑speciality (DM/MCh) seats to the Directorate General of Health Services for the All India Quota second‑round counselling, with the order issued in hearings on July 28–29.
- The court ordered the DGHS to complete counselling on the same percentile used earlier and said that if the percentile is later lowered, half of newly vacant seats must return to Tamil Nadu and half be filled by DGHS under the new percentile.
- Tamil Nadu had reserved 214 super‑speciality seats for in‑service government doctors this year but filled only 63, leaving 151 vacant, a shortfall that underpins the current transfer to the AIQ.
- Medical associations and doctors faulted the State for hurried counselling and weak legal representation, and warned that long‑standing problems — fewer service doctors taking NEET super‑speciality exams, limited posts and high bond amounts — may leave many reverted seats unfilled.
- Political leaders including DMK chief M. K. Stalin and the CPM have demanded a Supreme Court review petition, senior counsel be engaged and an Assembly resolution, while the Health Minister says the State will comply with surrender and the court’s reversion rule.