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Supreme Court on EWS Quota and Private Medical College Fees: What the Ruling Means for Medical Aspirants

In a significant ruling on the affordability of medical education, the Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by an Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) candidate challenging the high fees charged by private medical colleges in Rajasthan.

The petitioner argued that the annual income ceiling of Rs 8 lakh for EWS eligibility contradicts the reality of private medical college fees, which range from Rs 18.9 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per year, making medical education inaccessible to many deserving students.

However, a Bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi upheld the Rajasthan High Court's decision, ruling that the fee structure approved by the State Fee Regulatory Committee is legally valid and does not violate EWS reservation provisions.

Private Medical Colleges Cannot Charge Government-Level Fees: Supreme Court

During the hearing, Justice Nagarathna observed that private medical colleges and government medical colleges operate under fundamentally different financial models.

"You cannot say private educational institutions shall charge the same fees as government institutions. These are self-financing institutions, while government colleges receive state subsidies," the Court noted.

The Bench emphasized that private institutions play a critical role in expanding medical education capacity in India and cannot be expected to function on subsidised fee structures similar to government-funded colleges.

Referring to landmark judgments, including the Supreme Court's decision in the TMA Pai Foundation case, the Court reiterated that while capitation fees are prohibited, private colleges are legally entitled to charge reasonable tuition fees determined by regulatory authorities.

EWS Reservation Does Not Guarantee Fee Concession

A key issue raised by the petitioner was whether EWS reservation loses its purpose when students from low-income families are unable to afford private medical college fees despite securing admission under the quota.

The Rajasthan High Court had earlier clarified that EWS reservation applies only during the admission process and does not automatically entitle students to reduced tuition fees in private institutions.

The court further noted that no existing law mandates private medical colleges to provide fee concessions or subsidies specifically for EWS candidates.

The Supreme Court agreed with this interpretation and declined to interfere with the High Court's findings.

'If You Cannot Pay, Seek Scholarships': Supreme Court

Addressing concerns about affordability, Justice Nagarathna suggested that students facing financial difficulties should explore scholarships, education loans, and fee subvention schemes.

"If you are unable to pay, get scholarship, get subvention," the Court remarked during the proceedings.

The observation highlights the growing debate around medical education affordability in India, particularly for students from economically weaker backgrounds who qualify for reservation but struggle with the high cost of private medical colleges.

Why the Judgment Matters

The ruling is likely to have implications for thousands of NEET-qualified students seeking admission under the EWS category in private medical colleges across India.

While the judgment reaffirms the legality of private medical college fee structures approved by regulatory authorities, it also raises broader questions about access to medical education, financial aid mechanisms, and whether existing EWS policies adequately address the economic challenges faced by aspiring doctors.

Dismissing the petition, the Supreme Court stated: "We do not find any reason to interfere with the High Court order. The petition is dismissed. Question of law, if any, is kept open."

The decision effectively reinforces the distinction between admission reservation benefits and fee-related concessions, making it clear that EWS reservation guarantees access to seats but does not automatically reduce the cost of studying in private medical institutions.

In a significant revision to the NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has, for the first time, introduced a dedicated section on the Emergency (1975-77), describing it as "one of the major challenges to democracy in India." The new content appears in the recently developed textbook, Understanding Society: India and Beyond, as part of a chapter that examines both the strengths and challenges of Indian democracy.

The inclusion of the Emergency in the NCERT Class 9 textbook comes as India recently marked 50 years since the declaration of the Emergency in 1975, making it one of the most notable additions to the revised school curriculum.

NCERT Class 9 Textbook Describes Emergency as a Challenge to Democracy

According to NCERT, the Emergency has been included to help students understand a critical phase in India's democratic history.

The textbook states:"One of the major challenges to democracy in India was recorded when an Emergency was imposed in 1975-77. In the early 1970s, public dissatisfaction with the government led by Indira Gandhi was growing. Rising unemployment, inflation, and allegations of misgovernance led to widespread protests."

The chapter further explains that a National Emergency was declared in June 1975 on the grounds of "internal disturbance." It notes that during the Emergency:

• A majority of fundamental rights were suspended
• Press censorship was imposed
• Numerous political leaders and activists were arrested
• Democratic institutions came under severe strain
• Citizens' freedoms were restricted

Jayaprakash Narayan's Role Included in New NCERT Chapter

The NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook also highlights the role played by Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly known as Lok Nayak, in mobilising public protests against the Emergency.

According to the textbook:

"Mass movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan, a political leader and socialist thinker, popularly known as Lok Nayak, mobilised students and citizens, especially in Bihar and Gujarat."

The chapter adds that after the Emergency was lifted in 1977, general elections were held, allowing citizens to express their democratic choice through voting. It states that the defeat of the ruling government demonstrated the resilience of Indian democracy and reinforced the importance of democratic institutions.

Emergency Included Alongside Other Challenges to Democracy

The chapter places the Emergency within a broader discussion on issues affecting democratic governance. Apart from the Emergency, the textbook identifies several other challenges to democracy, including:

• Fake news and misinformation
• Damage to public property
• Violation of public rules
• Poverty
• Regionalism
• Social discrimination
• Gender inequality

NCERT has also introduced a new section titled "Democracy and You", which has been added for the first time to encourage students to understand their role as responsible citizens and participants in democratic processes.

Textbook Highlights India's Democratic Institutions

Alongside discussing democratic challenges, the revised NCERT Class 9 textbook places considerable emphasis on India's democratic traditions and constitutional institutions.

The book traces democratic practices in India to earlier historical periods and explains their relevance in contemporary governance.

A dedicated section also describes the media as the "fourth pillar of democracy", highlighting its role in raising public concerns and protecting democratic values.To illustrate the scale of India's electoral system, the textbook notes that the country had more than 96.8 crore registered voters in 2024 and highlights the extensive network of polling stations across the country.

The chapter further includes case studies on grassroots democracy, including examples of a panchayat in Gujarat and a women-friendly panchayat in Tripura, while also discussing women's voting rights and reservations in local self-government institutions.

BJP Welcomes NCERT's Decision

The inclusion of the Emergency chapter has also drawn political reactions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed NCERT's decision, describing the Emergency as a "dark chapter" in India's constitutional history that should be remembered to ensure such events are never repeated.

The party also criticised the Congress over the imposition of the Emergency in 1975 and alleged that the opposition was objecting to NCERT's decision to include the chapter in the revised curriculum.

Significant Addition to NCERT Class 9 Curriculum

An NCERT official confirmed that this is the first time a dedicated section on the Emergency has been included in a Class 9 textbook. The inclusion marks a significant update to the NCERT Class 9 Social Science curriculum, reflecting one of the most debated periods in independent India's political history while introducing students to discussions on constitutional values, democratic institutions, and civic participation.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training's (NCERT) Class 6 R3 Kannada textbook has become the centre of a controversy in Karnataka, with educationists, writers, and activists raising objections to its title, content, and representation of the state's cultural diversity.

The textbook, titled 'Krishna', has drawn criticism amid the ongoing debate over the implementation of the three-language policy for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students. Critics have questioned the naming of the textbook, the emphasis on vegetarian food in lessons related to nutrition, and the absence of content reflecting Karnataka's regional literature, folklore, and social life.

The development comes as CBSE rolls out the three-language policy (R1, R2, R3) for Classes 6 to 10 from the 2026-27 academic session under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.

Objections Over Textbook Title and Mythological Content

Development educationist Niranjanaradhya V.P. strongly criticised the textbook and expressed concern over what he described as the growing influence of mythological themes in educational material.

"It is shocking to see the R3 Kannada textbook for Class 6 released by NCERT. It is dangerous to use books that are supposed to be designed for children's learning as a weapon for political and cultural oppression. As part of the imposition of Indian Knowledge Heritage of NEP-2020, the trend of infusing mythological virtues in education in NCERT books is condemnable. Naming the textbook for Class 6 as Krishna is an attempt to saffronise the textbooks," he alleged.

The remarks have added another dimension to the ongoing debate over curriculum design and educational content under the new policy framework.

Criticism Over 'Balanced Diet' Definition

Another major point of contention is the treatment of food and nutrition in the textbook. According to critics, earlier textbooks referred to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets while discussing balanced nutrition. However, the revised Class 6 Kannada textbook defines a balanced diet as one consisting of milk, greens, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

The accompanying illustration reportedly features foods such as ragi mudde, roti, rice, vegetables, milk, and fruits. Niranjanaradhya V.P. alleged that the textbook excludes food habits followed by a large section of Karnataka's population.

"While talking about food in the Health is Wealth lesson, sattvic food is being discussed. There are crores of people in Karnataka who eat pork, fish, eggs, chicken, mutton. This is a technique to deliberately ignore non-vegetarian food. This is not education, it is cultural terrorism," he alleged.

Concerns Over Missing Regional Culture and Literature

Questions have also been raised regarding the representation of Karnataka's regional diversity in the textbook. Umesh G. Gangavadi, State President of the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC), alleged that the textbook does not adequately reflect the cultural and social realities of different regions of the state.

"The folklore, literature, and life of the coastal, northern Karnataka, Malnad, and old Mysore areas are missing. There are no activities, texts, pictures, and stories that are appropriate for the curiosity of a Class 6 child, age-appropriate activities," he said.

According to him, Karnataka's cultural identity is rooted in the contributions of literary and social icons rather than a single religious symbol. "The identity of Karnataka lies in the ideology of writers such as Pampa, Kuvempu, Karanta, and Basavanna, and not in the name of Krishna," he said.

Writer Demands Withdrawal of Lesson

Writer S.G. Siddaramaiah also criticised the textbook and called for the withdrawal of the lesson.

Reiterating his opposition to the implementation of the three-language policy for CBSE students, he questioned the use of a deity's name as the title of a school textbook.

"We are against the implementation of the three-language policy for CBSE students. Meanwhile, it is condemnable to keep the name of God as the title of the textbook and to impose vegetarianism on children through the textbooks as part of the political agenda of the Union government," he said.

Debate Over Curriculum and Cultural Representation

The controversy has reignited discussions around curriculum development, cultural representation, and educational content in school textbooks.

Critics argue that school textbooks should reflect Karnataka's linguistic, cultural, and regional diversity while remaining age-appropriate for students. The objections raised by educationists and writers have brought renewed attention to how history, culture, literature, food practices, and social realities are represented in educational material.

With the implementation of the NEP 2020 framework underway, the NCERT Class 6 Kannada textbook controversy is likely to remain a key talking point in Karnataka's education landscape in the coming weeks.

As the NEET UG Re-Examination 2026 commenced under heightened security arrangements across the country, members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) launched a signature campaign outside examination centres in Shimla, highlighting concerns related to exam security, paper leaks and the growing financial burden on medical aspirants.

The campaign was organised alongside the conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), one of India's largest medical entrance examinations. NSUI leaders urged authorities to implement reforms aimed at restoring students' confidence in the examination system following the controversy surrounding the earlier NEET exam, which was cancelled due to an alleged paper leak.

Among the key demands raised by the student organisation were the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the removal of the National Testing Agency (NTA) as the examination-conducting body, regulation of coaching institute fees, and stronger measures to ensure transparent and secure competitive examinations in the future.

Speaking during the campaign, NSUI District President Nitin Deshta said the initiative was launched in response to repeated concerns over examination irregularities. He noted that many students invest significant financial resources in coaching and preparation and should not have to suffer because of administrative lapses.

The issue resonated with several NEET aspirants appearing for the examination. Rahul, a candidate at one of the centres, said the cancellation of the previous exam due to a paper leak came as a shock and affected the confidence of students who had spent months preparing for the highly competitive medical entrance test.

Another aspirant, Srishti Verma, expressed hope that future examinations would be conducted without controversy, while Aastha Thakur highlighted the challenges of preparing for a re-examination after months of uncertainty.

The NEET UG 2026 re-examination is being conducted under strict surveillance and enhanced security measures following a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged paper leak. According to official figures, more than 22.79 lakh candidates are eligible to appear for the examination at 5,440 centres across 551 cities in India and 14 international locations.

The developments have once again brought attention to issues of examination integrity, student welfare, coaching costs and the need for a transparent assessment system. As India continues to expand access to medical education, stakeholders say ensuring fair and secure entrance examinations remains critical for maintaining trust in the country's higher education ecosystem.

A National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG candidate in Rajasthan's Ajmer was allegedly denied entry to her examination centre on Sunday for wearing a burqa, triggering a brief dispute before authorities intervened and allowed her to take the examination.

The incident occurred during the nationwide NEET UG re-examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the cancellation of the May 3 exam due to a paper leak. More than 22 lakh candidates appeared for the re-test under heightened security arrangements.

According to the student, she arrived at the examination centre wearing the same attire—a burqa and dupatta—that she had worn during the original NEET UG examination on May 3 without facing any objections.

Speaking to reporters, the candidate alleged that centre officials initially asked her to remove her dupatta and later insisted that she remove her burqa before being allowed entry. She maintained that the NTA's guidelines permit candidates to wear religious attire, provided they report early for security checks.

"If the NTA has permitted us, then no one can stop us. If I am not allowed to appear in this attire, I will not take the examination," the student said.

Her father also cited NTA regulations, particularly provisions that allow candidates to wear articles of faith while appearing for the examination. He stated that the family had requested a female staff member to conduct security screening in a private area behind a screen, but claimed the request was initially declined.

Following the complaint, the matter was brought to the attention of officials. The NTA later clarified that the candidate had been permitted to enter the examination centre and successfully appeared for the re-examination.

Ajmer North Circle Officer Shivam Joshi said the issue arose due to a lack of clarity regarding examination rules. He added that after discussions with senior officials, the confusion was resolved peacefully.

"Apart from this, there were no disputes at the examination centre, and all students were admitted smoothly," Joshi said.

The NEET UG re-examination was conducted from 2 pm to 5:51 pm under enhanced surveillance measures. The NTA is now expected to begin the process of evaluating answer sheets and preparing the revised results.

The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB), Division-I, has declared the HSLC Compartmental Examination Result 2026 today, June 23, at 11 AM. Students who appeared for the supplementary examinations can now access their results online through the official result portal.

The compartmental examinations were conducted from May 29 to June 5, 2026, for students who either failed in one or more subjects in the regular High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination or wished to improve their scores. With the declaration of results, successful candidates can now proceed with admissions to Higher Secondary (Class 11) courses and other academic pathways.

Assam HSLC Compartment Result 2026: How to Check

Students can follow these steps to download their results:

1. Visit the official SEBA result website at sebaonline.org. 
2. Click on the link for HSLC Compartmental Examination Result 2026.
3. Enter the required credentials, including Roll Number and other details as specified.
4. Submit the information.
5. The result will be displayed on the screen.
6. Download and save the marksheet for future reference.

Students are advised to verify all details mentioned on the marksheet carefully after downloading it.

Importance of the Compartment Examination

The HSLC compartment examination provides students with a second opportunity to clear subjects in which they were unsuccessful during the regular board examinations. It also allows eligible candidates to improve their academic performance and secure better prospects for further education.

The declaration of the compartment result is significant for thousands of students across Assam, as it determines their eligibility for admission to Higher Secondary institutions, vocational programs, and other educational opportunities for the 2026–27 academic session.

What Students Should Do Next

Candidates who have successfully cleared the compartment examination should download and retain multiple copies of their marksheet for admission, counselling, and verification purposes. Schools and educational institutions may require these documents during the admission process.

Students who have not qualified are advised to contact their respective schools or visit the official board website for information regarding future examination opportunities, academic support, and other available options.

The official SEBA result portal remains the authoritative source for marksheets, notifications, and further updates related to the HSLC Compartment Examination 2026.