Rajasthan High Court rules that NEET PG reservation benefits are state specific. Non domicile SC/ST/OBC candidates cannot claim reserved seats or relaxed cutoffs in Rajasthan state quota. Full breakdown, implications and practical tips for 2026 aspirants.
If you’re gearing up for NEET PG counselling in 2026, especially if you’re considering seats in Rajasthan, this fresh High Court decision is worth understanding clearly. On 14 April 2026, Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur delivered a clear verdict: reservation benefits in the state’s NEET PG counselling including relaxed qualifying cut-offs are strictly limited to candidates who are bonafide residents (domicile) of Rajasthan. Non domicile candidates from reserved categories in their home states cannot claim those same benefits when applying under Rajasthan’s state quota.
Ruling came while dismissing a petition filed by the Federation of Private Medical and Dental Colleges of Rajasthan. It reinforces a straightforward principle that many aspirants had questions about after last year’s Supreme Court changes to PG admissions.
What the Rajasthan High Court Actually Said
Case revolved around a resolution passed by the NEET PG counselling board on 18 February 2026. That resolution clearly stated that reservation benefits including the lower qualifying percentile for SC, ST, OBC and other categories would apply only to Rajasthan domicile candidates belonging to those categories. A group of private medical colleges challenged this arguing it amounted to an indirect 100% domicile-based reservation and that it defeated the purpose of the National Board of Examinations lowering the qualifying percentile in January 2026 to help fill vacant seats.
Justice Sanjeet Purohit’s bench disagreed. The court held that the policy does not create an absolute bar for out of state candidates. Non domicile reserved category students can still participate in Rajasthan’s state quota counselling but they will be treated as general (unreserved) candidates. They must meet the general category cutoff and compete on those terms for unreserved seats. They simply cannot access reserved seats or the relaxed percentile meant for Rajasthan’s own reserved category domicile holders.
Judgment explicitly noted that “benefit of reservation is restricted to the State of origin and cannot be extended into the State to which one has migrated.” This aligns with long standing constitutional interpretations that reservations are framed around local socio economic realities.
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture After the Supreme Court’s 2025 Ruling
To understand why this ruling feels significant, we need a quick rewind to January 2025. Supreme Court struck down domicile based reservations for state-quota seats in PG medical courses. In simple terms, the 50% state quota seats in government and private colleges across India are now open to candidates from any state on the basis of merit no more “only Rajasthan residents can apply for Rajasthan state quota.”
That was a big shift but Supreme Court did not touch the separate issue of category-wise reservations (SC/ST/OBC/EWS). Those remain valid but they are still tied to each state’s own notified lists and policies.
Rajasthan’s counselling authority simply applied this logic: if you’re not a Rajasthan domicile holder, you don’t get to use Rajasthan’s reserved category benefits, even if you belong to a similar category back home. High Court has now confirmed that this approach is constitutional and practical.
Real Life Scenarios: How This Plays Out for Different Types of Candidates
Let’s make this concrete with a few examples.
Scenario 1: Rajasthan domicile + OBC
You studied MBBS in Rajasthan, your family has lived there for generations and you hold a valid Rajasthan OBC certificate. You qualify for the relaxed OBC cut-off and can compete for OBC reserved seats in the state quota. Nothing changes for you.
Scenario 2: Non domicile + OBC from another state
You cleared NEET PG with a score that meets the revised OBC percentile in your home state (say, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar), but you don’t have Rajasthan domicile. In Rajasthan counselling, you will be considered under the general category. You can apply for unreserved seats but you must clear the general category cut off (which is higher). You cannot claim an OBC reserved seat.
Scenario 3: Stray vacancy round
Many seats often remain vacant after the main rounds. Court made it clear that even in stray vacancy rounds, the same rules apply. Lowering the overall qualifying percentile doesn’t automatically let non-domicile reserved candidates jump into reserved seats.These distinctions matter because NEET PG cutoffs can differ by 20–30 percentile points between general and reserved categories especially after the revisions.
Practical Tips for NEET PG 2026 Aspirants
Why the Court Emphasised State Specific Realities
The judgment didn’t just rely on technicalities. It pointed out that backward classes and reserved categories are identified state wise because social and educational backwardness can differ significantly across regions. Extending one state’s reservation list to another would blur these carefully drawn lines and could undermine the very purpose of reservations.
At the same time, court balanced this by confirming that non domicile candidates are not locked out entirely they retain full access to the open merit seats. This approach protects both the constitutional framework and the need to fill PG seats with meritorious candidates.
FAQ: Common Questions About the Ruling
1. Can non-domicile candidates still get seats in Rajasthan under state quota?
Yes. They can compete for unreserved (general) seats if they meet the general category qualifying criteria. They just won’t get the benefit of reserved seats or relaxed cut-offs.
2. Does this ruling affect All India Quota seats?
No. All India Quota (50% seats) follows national reservation rules and is not impacted by state-specific policies.
3. What if I completed my MBBS in Rajasthan but my domicile is from another state?
Domicile is usually determined by permanent residence or parental domicile, not where you studied MBBS. Check Rajasthan’s specific eligibility criteria in the counselling bulletin.
4. Will this apply to future counselling rounds or only 2026?
The judgment upholds the counselling board’s existing policy for 2025-26 admissions. Similar principles are likely to guide future years unless new rules or judgments change them.
5. Where can I find the official counselling guidelines?
Visit the official Rajasthan NEET PG counselling portal and the Medical Education Department website. February 18, 2026 resolution and the High Court order are now part of the official record.
Final Thoughts: Plan Smart and Stay Informed
This Rajasthan High Court decision brings welcome clarity at a time when NEET PG counselling can already feel overwhelming. It reminds us that while the Supreme Court opened state quotas to all India merit, category reservations remain deeply connected to each state’s own social context.
For aspirants, takeaway is simple: know your status, prepare your documents, and align your expectations with the rules. Whether you’re a Rajasthan resident relying on state benefits or an out of state candidate competing on general merit, understanding these nuances can save you from unpleasant surprises during choice filling or seat allotment.
Medical education is competitive enough last thing you want is confusion over eligibility. Keep an eye on official notifications, consult your college counsellors if needed, and approach the process with accurate information.
The counselling window moves fast. Take a moment today to review your documents and strategy in light of this ruling. Good preparation isn’t just about your NEET score it’s about knowing the rules of the game you’re playing.
Link: According to Hindustan Times https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/jaipur-news/nondomicile-candidates-cannot-claim-reserved-category-seats-rajasthan-hc-rejects-plea-against-neet-pg-counselling-board-s-resolution-101776173085377-amp.html
Disclaimer
This post is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, legal opinion or an official investigation. Readers should consult qualified healthcare professionals for personal health concerns. All details are drawn from media reports and outcomes of any official inquiry may provide further clarity.
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