HC Bars Counselling After Admission Deadline

The Madras High Court has ruled that medical seats cannot be filled after the official admission deadline, even if some seats remain vacant. The court said that it does not have the power to order fresh counselling to fill those seats once the cut-off date for admissions has passed.

The judgment came while hearing a case related to vacant medical seats. The petitioners argued that some seats were left unfilled due to delays or inaction by the authorities. They requested the court to direct officials to conduct additional counselling so that the vacant seats could be filled.

However, the High Court made it clear that the cut-off date for medical admissions is fixed every year and must be strictly followed. The judges said that allowing admissions beyond the deadline would disturb the academic schedule and create confusion in the system.

The court also observed that even if seats go vacant due to mistakes or delays by officials, it cannot extend the admission process beyond the approved deadline. The rules and timelines set for medical admissions are binding on everyone, including the authorities and the courts.

The judges stressed that maintaining discipline in the admission process is important to ensure fairness and transparency. They added that any relaxation of the deadline could lead to legal complications and affect students who have already secured admission on time.

With this ruling, the High Court reaffirmed that the admission schedule must be strictly followed and that no counselling can be ordered after the cut-off date, even if seats remain vacant.