PADMAJA SANJAY LADDA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. By consent of the learned counsel for the parties, the petition is taken up for final hearing.

(2.) This petition under Article 226 of the Constitution arises in the context of admissions to postgraduate medical courses (MD/MS) in the State of Maharashtra for the academic year 2025 -2026. The petitioner has completed MBBS from MGM University, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and desires admission to postgraduate medical courses against State quota seats in Government/Corporation, State or Central Government aided, and unaided private or minority medical institutions situate within the State of Maharashtra.

(3.) The petitioner seeks admission under the NRI/OCI quota. The cause of action for the present petition arises from Notice No. 02 for NEET-PG 2025 dtd. 30/10/2025, issued by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Mumbai. The said notice prescribes the eligibility criteria and registration process for candidates claiming NRI status and adopts a revised definition of "Non-Resident Indian" introduced by Maharashtra Ordinance No. VI of 2025 dtd. 25/6/2025, which was subsequently enacted into law. The petitioner challenges the said notice insofar as it applies the amended definition of NRI and prays for its quashing. The petitioner further seeks quashing of the said ordinance and the Act replacing it on the ground that they are illegal, arbitrary, and bad in law, being contrary to the guidelines issued by the Union Government and the law laid down by the Supreme Court. Consequently, the petitioner seeks a declaration that he/she is eligible to be considered under the NRI/OCI quota for postgraduate medical admissions.