The Supreme Court has directed the Union government to respond within three weeks on whether it will frame a nationwide, uniform policy to make rural service compulsory for medical students.
The direction came during hearings on petitions challenging a Karnataka government order that mandates one year of rural service for doctors completing MBBS, postgraduate and super-speciality courses in government and private medical colleges, as well as deemed universities, under government quota seats.
From 2023, the condition was extended to students admitted under private quota seats as well. Karnataka also issued an order stating that doctors can be registered only after completing rural service.
Appearing for the petitioners, counsel argued that students who study under private quota by paying higher fees should be treated as a separate class under Article 14 and should be exempted from compulsory rural postings.
A bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe declined to accept the argument, observing that medical science is a vital national resource and that using it to meet public needs falls within the state’s authority. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court the Centre would obtain instructions on a uniform national policy, after which the bench sought a reply within three weeks and adjourned the matter.
