Madras High Court on 23rd June 2018 said, Aadhaar or its photocopy is now mandatory during counseling to medical admissions in Tamil Nadu. Earlier in March Supreme Court had passed order saying Aadhaar is not essential during the NEET registration process.
The main reason behind passing this interim order by Justice N Kirubakaran was the petitioners had alleged that many students from other states have been allotted MBBS seats in Tamil Nadu based on nativity certificates obtained fraudulently, while adversely affecting the scope of students from Tamil Nadu to get admitted to the courses.
The court has also directed Medical Education Authorities who are overseeing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) based state-wise counseling in Tamil Nadu to insist on production of Aadhaar Cards.
In March Supreme Court had directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) not to make UIDAI Number mandatory for enrollment of students appearing in NEET 2018 and other all India Exams.
Earlier, a committee of advocates and Government officials informed the court that a random verification of nativity certificates presented by 296 students admitted to MBBS in last academic year in the state through NEET under CBSE category was found to be issued without any inquiry or analysis.
This has been confirmed by various counsel saying that other states have made it compulsory to give Aadhaar number of the respective candidates, the judge said.
To confirm that the genuine state candidates are benefited under the state quota, the court also said, “It is appropriate to make the production of Aadhaar Card and a photocopy of it compulsory at the time of counseling.”
By this method, students from other states could be forbidden from getting the benefit under the state quota, the judge said.
Therefore, the authorities are guided to inform the candidates who have applied for medical admission to produce their Aadhaar Card and its photocopy at the time of admission, he said.
The necessity as per this order about bringing the Aadhaar Card should be published by authorities on websites and by way of news reports within two days so that candidates get to know about the production of Aadhaar Cards in advance, the judge said.
The matter will be heard further after two weeks.
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