P.Panchatcharam v. The Principal Secretary To Government Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 18-02-2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY P.Panchatcharam, M/A 46 years, S/o Perumal, No.126, 5 Street, Krishnamachari Nagar, Alapakkam, Chennai 600 116.
.. Petitioner /versus/ 1.The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Health and Family Welfare Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
2.The Director of Medical Education, Periyar E.V.K.Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010.
3.The Additional Director of Medical Education/Secretary, Selection Committee, Periyar E.V.K.Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010.
.. Respondents Writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to enhance the number of seats reserved from the existing reservation of 7 seats under M.B.B.S and 1 seat under B.D.S categories which was provided for sports persons when the total intake of students in 22 Government Medical Colleges and 1 Dental College was 2900 students for the year 2018-2019 to at least 87 seats under M.B.B.S. and 4 seats under B.D.S category courses proportionate to 37 Government Medical Colleges and 3 Dental Colleges with a total intake of 5425
students as on date, based on the representation of the petitioner dated 22.12.2025 within the time stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner :Mr.M.Purushothaman For Respondents :Mr.E.Sundaram, GA for R1 and R2 Mrs.N.Sneha, for R3 -----
ORDER
The writ petition is filed for a Mandamus directing the respondents to enhance the number of seats reserved from the existing reservation of 7 seats under M.B.B.S and 1 seat under B.D.S categories which was provided for sports persons, when the total intake of students in 22 Government Medical Colleges and 1 Dental College was 2900 students for the year 2018-2019 to at least 87 seats under M.B.B.S. and 4 seats under B.D.S category courses proportionate to 37 Government Medical Colleges and 3 Dental Colleges with a total intake of 5425 students as on date, based on the representation of the petitioner dated 22.12.2025, within the time stipulated by this Court.
2. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and perusing the material records of the case, it is the case of the petitioner that, by G.O. (D)No.976, Health and Family Welfare (MCA-1)Department, dated 01.06.2018, the number of seats under the Government quota was fixed. From the records, the total number of seats has manifoldly increased and the total number of
eligible sportspersons have also increased. Therefore, it is high time that the Government takes up the exercise to revise the total number of seats.
3. Mrs.Sneha, learned counsel, taking notice on behalf of the third respondent, would submit that there is no fixed quota or Rule of reservation with reference to the sportspersons. As far as the medical and dental courses are concerned, the Government took a policy decision by way of G.O.(D)No.976, dated 01.06.2018, providing for the number of seats. It is true that it has not been revisited so far.
4. Upon considering the above submissions, it would be a policy decision of the Government to make a reservation for the sportsperson in the M.B.B.S and B.D.S courses and to make provision for the number of seats to be filled by the sportspersons. By exercise of its powers, the Government has issued G.O. (D)No.976 dated 01.06.2018.
5. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, it is for the Government to revisit the same ,as already 8 years have passed.
6. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:- (i)The representation of the petitioner dated 22.12.2025 shall be taken up
for consideration by the first respondent.
(ii)The first respondent, after due consultation with the second respondent or such other authorities, as the case may be, shall take a decision afresh in accordance with law, depending on the policy of the Government. (iii)The above exercise shall be completed as expeditiously as possible in any event, not later than 4 months from today, so that the appropriate seat matrix can be included at least in the prospectus that is published for the academic year 2026-2027, as per the schedule normally fixed by the DGHS, after approval of the schedule by the Honourable Supreme Court of India. (iv) No costs.
18-02-2026 ari To 1.The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Health and Family Welfare Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
2.The Director of Medical Education, Periyar E.V.K.Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010.
3.The Additional Director of Medical Education/Secretary, Selection Committee, Periyar E.V.K.Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010.
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
ari 18-02-2026