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2025 Supreme(Online)(Tel) 15441
IN THE HIGH COURT OF TELANGANA
Aparesh Kumar Singh, C.J., G.M. Mohiuddin, J.
Writ Petition No. 22699 of 2025
Decided On : 19-09-2025
The court upheld that residency requirements for local candidate status in medical admissions are constitutional if they establish rational criteria for classification and do not violate equal opportunity principles.
Headnote:(A) Telangana Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Rules, 2017 - Rule 3(a) - Constitution of India - Article 14 - Writ petition challenging Rule 3(a) as illegal and arbitrary denied; Petitioner failed to satisfy stipulated criteria for local candidate status due to studying outside the State. Court reiterated that classification as local candidates must have rational basis. (Paras 3, 8, 11, 12)
(B) Constitutional Validity - The Court held that the requirement of four years of residence reflects a deliberate policy choice aimed at justifying local candidate classification and does not offend Article 14. Legal precedents support reasonable restrictions on local candidate admissions to medical institutions. (Paras 6, 8, 10)
Facts of the case:
The petitioner, having shifted education between States, claimed local candidate status for medical admissions in Telangana based on citizenship and completed residence certificates. The respondent's requirement for four years continuous residence is contested.
Findings of Court:
The petitioner does not qualify as local due to failure to meet the residency criteria, and the rules reflect a rational classification for admissions. Previous judgments cited by the petitioner were stayed by the Supreme Court and do not support her claim.
Issues: The core issue was whether the amended Rule 3(a)'s requirement aligns with constitutional standards and the applicant's status as a local candidate.
Ratio Decidendi: The Court reaffirmed that the residence requirement is reasonable and aligned with the State's legislative intent, ruling out claims of discrimination under Article 14 due to a lack of compliance with established criteria.
Result: Petition dismissed.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. understanding the factual background regarding local candidate eligibility. (Para 2 , 3) |
| 2. petitioner's arguments against admission criteria and reliance on previous judgments. (Para 4 , 6) |
| 3. court's observation on legislative policies and criteria for local candidate classification. (Para 5 , 8 , 10) |
| 4. ratio decidendi regarding residency requirements for admission. (Para 7 , 9 , 12) |
| 5. final conclusion dismissing the writ petition. (Para 13) |
ORDER :
Heard Sri Alluri Divakar Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri R.Nagarjuna Reddy, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Medical and Health appearing for respondent No.1, Sri T.Sharath, learned Standing Counsel for Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences appearing for respondent No.2 and perused the record.
2. This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, with the following prayer:-
“…..to issue an appropriate writ, order or direction, more particularly in the nature of Writ of Mandamus: a) Declare Rule 3(a) of Telangana Medical and Dental Colleges Admission (Admission into MBBS and BDS Courses) Rules, 2017 as amended vide G.O.Ms.No. 33 Health, Medical and Family Welfare (C1) Department dated 19.07.2024 as being illegal, unconstitutional, manifestly arbitrary, with malafide intention to over-rule the judgments of this Hon'ble Court; b) Declare the Petitioner as local candidate for all purposes of admission into MBBS/BDS pursuant to NEET (UG) 2025 for MBBS/BDS Admissions under Competent Authority Quota- 2025-26 under aegis of Respondent No.2; c) Consequently, to direct Respondent No.2 to treat the Petitioner as Local Candidate pursuant to NEET (UG) 2025 for MBBS/BDS Admissions under Competent Authority Quota-2025-26 under aegis of Respondent No.2.d) Pass such other order or orders as this Hon'ble Court deem fit and proper in the interest of justice.”
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner was born in Telangana on 23.08.2005 and completed her Class II to VI at Achampet Mandal, Nagarkurnool district, in Telangana State. However, pursued her Class VIII to Class X at Kittur in the State of Andhra Pradesh and she returned to Telangana to complete her Intermediate i.e., Class XI and XII. Subsequently, after she was qualified NEET (UG)-2025 she sought admission under the ‘Competent Authority Quota’ which is reserved for local candidates.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner, in the underlying writ petition contends as follows:
i. that an application for admission into MBBS/BDS courses was made to the respondent No.2-University for the academic year 2025-26 and accordingly respondent No. 2 issued the admission prospectus which were issued pursuant to the Telangana Medical & Dental Colleges Admission Rules, 2017 (for short ‘Rules 2017’) as amended by G.O. Ms. No. 33, dated 19.07.2024 and released a notification dated 16.07.2025 for online registration for the said courses, wherein the prospectus, mandated compulsory submission of a residence certificate as per Annexure-II, stipulating four years of continuous study or residence in Telangana prior to the qualifying examination.
ii. that the said requirement contradicts and violates the binding directions of this Court in order dated 05.09.2024 in W.P. No. 21910 of 2024 and Batch and in order dated 29.08.2023 W.P.No.21268 of 2023 and Batch wherein this Court has held that a residence certificate is sufficient for categorization as a local candidate.
iii. that the said the Regulations were framed in pursuant to Rule.3(a) of Rules 2017 as amended vide G.O.Ms. No.33 dated 19.07.2024, as framed under the Telangana Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1983.
iv. that as per regulation 2.2 of the prospectus, he is treated as non-local even though he is permanent resident of Telangana State which is violative of orders of the passed in W.P. No. 21910 of 2024 and Batch and in W.P.No.21268 of 2023 and Batch.
5. We
