In Brief
The State of Haryana issued a notification on 05.05.2017 identifying remote and difficult areas for grant of weightage in NEET entrance examination marks for postgraduate medical admissions. The High Court set aside the notification. The Supreme Court dismissed appeals by the State, holding the notification was based on a flawed process using arbitrary criteria—chiefly doctor reluctance to serve—without objective, verifiable data on remoteness, inaccessibility, and environmental factors. The Court found the notification issued in haste (one day formulation), before gazetting, contrary to proper administrative procedure. Discretionary power under the regulation must be exercised fairly and reasonably. The State was directed to reissue a fresh notification following objective principles, or rely on its existing transfer and posting powers.
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