(1.) The writ petitions have been preferred under Article 32 of the Constitution of India questioning the constitutional validity of Rule 3(1)(c) of the Medical Colleges and Dental Colleges of Assam (Regulations of Admission into 1st year MBBS/BDS Courses) Rules, 2017 (in short referred to as 'the Rules of 2017'). The petitioners have come with the case that though State can provide for preference in the matter of admission, however, such classification must be based upon objective criteria and must have a rational nexus with the objective it seeks to achieve.
(2.) Rule 3 of the Rules of 2017 provides for eligibility for the State quota seats. Same is extracted hereunder :
(3.) The petitioners have questioned aforesaid Rule 3(1)(c) which requires that a candidate must study in all the classes from Class VII to XII in the State of Assam and must pass the qualifying examination or its equivalent examination from any Institute situated in the State of Assam. The exception has been carved out in case father or mother is posted outside Assam as an Assam State Government employee or Central Government employee or as an employee of a Corporation/Agency/instrumentality under the Government of Assam or Central Government.