The Madras High Court has ruled that only the Supreme Court of India has the authority to relax medical admission deadlines, reinforcing the binding nature of the academic schedule set for medical courses across the country.
In its recent observation, the High Court made it clear that High Courts do not have the power to extend or modify the admission timeline fixed for MBBS and other medical programs. The bench emphasized that any relaxation in deadlines—particularly those governed by national regulations—can only be granted by the apex court to maintain uniformity and fairness in the admission process.
Medical admission schedules are typically regulated under the supervision of the National Medical Commission and aligned with directives of the Supreme Court to ensure transparency and equal opportunity for all candidates. Allowing different High Courts to alter deadlines, the bench noted, could lead to inconsistency and disrupt the centralized counselling process.
The ruling is significant for students seeking last-minute relief in MBBS admissions, as it clarifies that any extension request must be taken directly to the Supreme Court. This decision strengthens the structured framework governing medical admissions and aims to prevent administrative chaos in professional courses.
