Dr.K.Chandralekha v. The State of Tamil Nadu

ORDER This petition has been filed seeking a direction to the Respondents to pass orders annulling the Bond executed by the petitioners given admission in Page2 of 6 the academic session 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively based on the selection conducted by Government of India on All India basis competing with open category candidates without any reservation for service candidates and without any condition imposed by Government of India at the time of admission to the courses, in consideration of representation submitted by the Petitioners

18.07.2025, 25.08.225, 24.09.2025, 11.11.2025 within a time frame to be fixed by this Honble Court.

2.The case of the petitioners is that the petitioners are Medical officers working in Tamil Nadu Medical Service who secured admission to Super Speciality Courses M.Ch/DM through NEET-SS conducted by the National Board of Examinations, Government of India, during the academic years 2017-18 to 2019-20 on All India merit basis without any reservation for in-service candidates. Upto the academic year 2016-17, admissions to Super Speciality Courses under State Quota were made by the State Government with 50% seats reserved for service candidates along with a bond condition. After introduction of NEET-SS from 2017-18, State-level selection and service quota for Super Speciality Courses were completely dispensed with. From the academic year 2017-2018, admission to Super Speciality courses was made solely on the basis of marks secured in NEET-SS on All India basis, and no bond condition for service candidates was prescribed in the prospectus issued by the Government of India. Despite the above, the respondents compelled the petitioners, solely Page3 of 6 on the ground that they were in service in Tamil Nadu, to execute service bonds for huge sums at the time of joining the course or as a condition for permitting them to appear for final examinations. Service candidates allotted to Government Medical Colleges in other States through the same NEET-SS process were not subjected to any such bond and were granted Extraordinary Leave, thereby resulting in hostile discrimination against the petitioners. The bond condition was never voluntarily accepted by the petitioners but was imposed after their selection. One of the petitioners had earlier approached this Court, which directed consideration of her representation; however, the respondents failed to comply. Reservation for in-service candidates in Super Speciality Courses was reintroduced only from the academic year 2021–22, with a separate prospectus and bond condition. Hence, the petitioners, who belong to a distinct category admitted between 2017–18 and 2020–21, seek cancellation of the bond conditions imposed on them. The petitioners submitted representations on 18.07.2025, 25.08.2025, 24.09.2025, and 11.11.2025 to the respondents, but the same have not been considered till date. Therefore, the present writ petition has been filed.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the first respondent to consider the petitioners' representations dated 18.07.2025, 25.08.2025, 24.09.2025,

11.11.2025 within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court. Page4 of 6

4.Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioners' representations dated 18.07.2025, 25.08.2025, 24.09.2025, 11.11.2025 and to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶5With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. 17-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order UMA To

¶1The Principal Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai -600 009

¶2The Director of Medical Education and Research, Kilpauk, Chennai 600010. Page5 of 6

M.DHANDAPANI, J. UMA 17-02-2026 Page6 of 6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 17-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI 1. Dr.K.Chandralekha D/o. K.Krishnan, Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology, Government Stanley Hospital, Chennai -600 001. 2. Dr. T.D.Balamurugan S/o. S.Devarajan, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital, Karapettai -631 552 3. Dr. R.Venkatesh, S/o. M.Raju, Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, Government Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital, Thoothukudi -628 008 4. Dr. K.Karthik, S/o Kuppan, Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, Government Krishnagiri Medical College, Krishnagiri -635 115 ..Petitioner(s) Vs Page1 of 6 1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai -600 009 2. The Director of Medical Education and Research, Kilpauk, Chennai 600010. ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to pass orders annulling the Bond executed by the petitioners given admission in the academic session 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively based on the selection conducted by Government of India on All India basis competing with open category candidates without any reservation for service candidates and without any condition imposed by Government of India at the time of admission to the courses, in consideration of representation submitted by the Petitioners 18.07.25, 25.08.25, 24.09.25, 11.11.2025 within a time frame to be fixed by this Honble Court. For Petitioners: Mr.G.Sankaran, Senior Counsel for Mr.S.Nedunchezhiyan For Respondent(s): Mr.K.Tippusulthan Government Advocate