CPI Challenges Andhra Medical Admission Order Citing Breach of Reservation Protections

Controversy Over G.O. No. 102

G. Eswaraiah, the Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary, is calling for the prompt cancellation of Government Order (G.O.) No. 102. Issued on July 30, 2026, the directive governs medical course admissions under Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences. The CPI contends that this new framework creates unnecessary complications for MBBS and other NEET-based enrollments, potentially stripping opportunities away from students in reserved categories.

Legal Precedents and Existing Frameworks

The current dispute traces its roots back to 2019, when students challenged the admission process in the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Following allegations of irregularities, the court mandated a six-member expert panel to overhaul the system and protect reservation integrity. The result was G.O. Ms. No. 151, established in December 2020. According to Eswaraiah, this previous order functioned effectively for years without complaint, ensuring that high-ranking candidates from reserved backgrounds could secure open-category seats without exhausting the quotas intended for others.

Risks to Equitable Seat Allocation

Eswaraiah argues that G.O. No. 102 contradicts the spirit of the High Court's past rulings. The primary concern involves the misallocation of seats:

• High-performing reserved category students may be forced into quota seats despite qualifying for the open category.
• The pool of available spots for other eligible candidates within those quotas would shrink significantly.
• The move risks dismantling the transparent system built by the 2020 expert committee recommendations.

The CPI insists that the administration must revert to G.O. Ms. No. 151. By maintaining the established 2020 protocol, the state can avoid legal friction and ensure that medical admissions remain fair for all applicants regardless of their socioeconomic standing.

Source: The Hindu — National