Telangana HC upholds GO 150, grants relief to Sainik school student

The Telangana High Court has dismissed petitions challenging GO 150, which amended GO 33 to regulate local quota eligibility for MBBS and BDS admissions. The court upheld the requirement of four years of Telugu-medium study prior to NEET, citing Supreme Court validation.

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the State’s GO 150, which amended GO 33 governing the local quota in admissions to MBBS and BDS courses.

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The bench noted that the Supreme Court had already upheld GO 33, which mandates that a candidate must have studied in Telugu for four years prior to qualifying NEET to be eligible under the local category. GO 150 was issued by the Telangana government to amend GO 33 in line with the conditions laid down by the apex court. The High Court held that it could not interfere once the Supreme Court had approved the regulatory framework.

A group of 34 intermediate students, including Malothu Tejashwini from Mahabubabad district, had challenged the government order, contending that their families were permanent residents of Telangana and had lived in the state for generations. Their counsel argued that they should not be excluded from the local quota merely because they had studied outside the state for two years, which also left them ineligible in Andhra Pradesh.

However, counsel for Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, T. Sarath, maintained that the petitioners did not fall within the exemption categories recognised by the Supreme Court and hence could not claim local quota benefits. The bench accepted this submission and dismissed the petitions.

In a related matter, the Court granted relief to M. Sasikiran, a student from Wanaparthy district, who had studied at Korukonda Sainik School in Andhra Pradesh under the Telangana quota with state government funds.

The bench directed that he be recognised as a local candidate for medical admissions and permitted to participate in counselling. Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy explained that under the AP Reorganisation Act, a ten-year quota was provided for students of both states in Sainik Schools, ensuring no disadvantage.

The government has decided to extend this exemption until 2024, covering the petitioner as well.