Hyderabad: In a significant judgment, the Telangana High Court has ruled in favor of medical and dental students who completed their MBBS or BDS degrees in Telangana but pursued their schooling in other states. The court directed the state government to amend Government Order (GO) No. 148, which previously rendered these students ineligible for postgraduate (PG) medical counseling in Telangana.
GO 148 required candidates to have completed their schooling in Telangana to be recognized as local residents for PG medical admissions. This regulation created a major hurdle for students who, despite earning their medical degrees in Telangana, were classified as “non-locals” in both Telangana and their home states. The resulting lack of local status left many students in an unfair situation with no clear eligibility for PG admissions anywhere.
Recognizing this inequity, the High Court ruled that such students must be considered local residents for the purpose of PG medical counseling in Telangana. The court further advised the state government to amend GO 148 to align with this decision, ensuring that deserving candidates are not disadvantaged due to technicalities regarding their schooling history.
The ruling has come as a major relief for affected students, many of whom had invested years of education and effort in Telangana but faced barriers during PG admissions.
Students Welcome the Verdict
“This is a huge relief for us. We studied and earned our degrees in Telangana, and it’s only fair that we are treated as locals here,” said a medical graduate who had been previously excluded from PG counseling. Parents and student groups also lauded the decision, calling it a step toward fairness and inclusivity.
The High Court’s direction now places the onus on the Telangana state government to implement the amendments to GO 148 without delay. Once revised, the order will ensure that MBBS and BDS graduates who pursued their medical education in Telangana will have equal opportunities during PG medical counseling.