Delhi High Court: AIIMS Cannot Reject DM Candidate, Residency Can Be Cumulative Across Institutions
Court Says 1,095-Day Residency Need Not Be from One Institute
Merit Must Prevail Over Technicalities in Medical Admissions
By Legal Reporter
New Delhi: February 05, 2026:
Medical education in India is often marked by intense competition and strict eligibility rules. In a recent landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court sided with a meritorious doctor whose candidature for the DM (Critical Care Medicine) program at AIIMS Delhi was cancelled. The Court ruled that the requirement of three years of postgraduate residency can be met cumulatively across different recognized institutions, provided the prospectus does not explicitly mandate completion in a single institute. This decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for medical aspirants across India.
Case Background
- The petitioner, Meet Bhadresh Shah, secured All India Rank 4 in the Institute of National Importance Super-Specialty (INI-SS) January 2026 examination.
- AIIMS rejected his candidature, claiming his three-year residency was fragmented across institutions rather than completed in one place.
- Shah challenged this rejection before the Delhi High Court.
- Justice Jasmeet Singh quashed AIIMS’ order, ruling that the prospectus only required completion of 1,095 days of residency and did not specify that it must be from a single institution.
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Court’s Observations
- Clause 4.3.2 of the INI-SS prospectus requires “requisite qualification, degree and tenure” of three years by the prescribed date.
- The clause is silent on whether residency must be continuous in one institution.
- The Court held that fragmented residency across recognized institutions satisfies eligibility.
- Justice Singh emphasized: “Merit cannot be defeated by unwritten conditions.”
Significance of the Ruling
1. Relief for Medical Aspirants
- Many doctors pursue residencies across different hospitals due to availability of seats, training opportunities, or personal circumstances.
- The ruling ensures that such candidates are not unfairly disqualified.
2. Clarifies Eligibility Rules
- Establishes that unless explicitly stated, residency requirements can be cumulative.
- Prevents institutions from introducing new conditions at the final stage of admission.
3. Strengthens Merit-Based Admissions
- Reinforces that academic merit must prevail over technical interpretations.
- Protects top-ranked candidates from arbitrary rejection.
Wider Impact on Medical Education
- AIIMS and other INI institutions may need to revise their admission guidelines to avoid ambiguity.
- The ruling could influence future litigation in medical admissions, ensuring fairness.
- Encourages transparency in drafting prospectuses and eligibility criteria.
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Expert Reactions
- Medical education experts: Welcomed the ruling as a step towards fairness and clarity.
- Legal analysts: Noted that the judgment strengthens judicial oversight over admission processes.
- Students’ associations: Said the ruling will prevent deserving candidates from being denied opportunities.
Conclusion
The Delhi High Court’s decision to quash AIIMS’ rejection of a DM candidate underscores the importance of clarity, fairness, and merit in medical admissions. By ruling that residency can be cumulative across institutions, the Court has protected the rights of aspirants and set a precedent for future cases. This judgment ensures that technicalities do not overshadow merit, reinforcing trust in India’s medical education system.
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