High Court's big decision: 50% institutional quota will be given in medical PG, big relief to MBBS students
21-Jan-2026
Bilaspur | The Chhattisgarh High Court's latest decision is expected to provide long-term strength to the state's healthcare system. Validating the 50 percent institutional quota for medical postgraduate (PG) courses, the court clarified that MBBS students from the state's medical colleges will receive priority for PG courses. Experts believe this will stem the brain drain of doctors to other states.
Until now, many medical graduates from Chhattisgarh were moving to other states due to the uncertainty surrounding PG seats. Following this High Court decision, students from the state's medical colleges will be able to stay here and pursue specialization, increasing the availability of specialist doctors at the district and rural levels.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice B.D. Guru stated that institutional preference is a limited and balanced system that neither harms merit nor creates any regional discrimination. The court also clarified that this system would not be considered domicile-based reservation.
Changed stance under the guidance of the Supreme Court
Following the earlier decision of November 20, 2025, the state government approached the Supreme Court. On December 18, 2025, the Supreme Court clarified the institutional quota limit. Subsequently, the High Court amended its order.
Additional Advocate General Shashank Thakur told the court that half of MBBS seats are already filled under the All India Quota. Therefore, the institutional quota in PG cannot be considered residency-based discrimination. The court agreed with this argument.
Medical experts say the decision will create a stable academic environment in medical colleges, address the shortage of specialist doctors in government hospitals, and strengthen the state's maternal and child health, surgery and super-speciality services.
Balancing policy and justice
The High Court also held in its judgment that the amendments made by the state government on December 1, 2025, dividing PG seats into 50% institutional and 50% open merit, were practical and just.
