D.Sabeeda Selvakumary v. The Secretary

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN D.Sabeeda Selvakumary ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Secretary, National Testing Agency, (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (UG)), Department of Higher Education, MHRD, NSIC - MDPP Building Okla, Industrial Estate Phase III, New Delhi.

2. The Secretary, The Medical Counseling Committee, Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India, Room No.348, A Wing, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi.

3. The Secretary, The National Medical Council, Pocket 14, Sector 8, Dwaraka, New Delhi.

1/7

4. The Director of Medical Education, No.162, Periyar EVR High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 10.

5. The Selection Committee, Represented by its Chairman, Directorate of Medical Education, No.163, Periyar EVR High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 10.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to participate in the Counseling under NEET - UG 2025-26 conducted by the fourth respondent by considering the candidature of the Petitioner in application No.25UG820876 or in alternative, direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to carry out the correction, if any.

For petitioner : Mr. K.Vinoharan For respondents : Mr.K.Govindarajan Deputy Solicitor General of India for Mr.P.Karthick for R1 Mr.P.T.Thiraviam Government Advocate for R4 Mrs.M.Sneha Standing Counsel for R5 ***** 2/7

ORDER

This Writ Petition is disposed of at the time of admission with the consent of the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Deputy Solicitor General of India for the first respondent, learned Government Advocate for the fourth respondent and learned Standing Counsel for the fifth respondent and after dispensing with the notice to the respondents 2 and 3, as no adverse orders are proposed to be passed against them.

2. The petitioner has secured 455 marks out of 720 marks in the NEET (UG) - 2025. It appears that the petitioner is the Scheduled Caste candidate.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner had earlier changed her name to her present name, namely, Sabeeda Selvakumary D, after effecting the name change by advertising her name in the Tamil Nadu Gazette Publication, dated 14.06.2023. However, while filing the application for NEET(UG)-2025 Examination as also after the results were announced on 14.06.2025, the petitioner failed to make suitable corrections consistent with the name change effected in the Tamil Nadu Gazette Publication, dated 14.06.2025. 3/7

4. It is submitted that the petitioner was under the impression that her application number was not among the ineligible candidates that were notified on 15.07.2025, where the ineligible candidates were informed about the lack of documents and other records and that they were permitted to make suitable changes by submitting necessary forms, failing which it was to be implied that the candidates would abide by the decision of the Tamil Nadu Medical Selection Committee/fifth respondent.

5. It is further submitted that subsequently, the petitioner realized that the petitioner's application No.25UG820876 was published in the aforesaid list.

6. It is further submitted that the petitioner has secured 455 marks and is otherwise eligible, but there is a confusion arising out of the name change on 14.06.2023.

7. It is noticed that in the NEET (UG) - 2025 application, the petitioner had given the correct name as Sabeeda Selvakumary D. However, in response to the subsequent list while making application for State admission, the petitioner had, 4/7

by oversight, given her old name, namely, Racheline Selvakumary D, resulting in confusion.

8. Having considered the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Deputy Solicitor General of India for the first respondent, learned Government Advocate for the fourth respondent and learned Standing Counsel for the fifth respondent, I am of the view that the petitioner, having secured 455 marks out of 720 marks, deserves a chance for consideration of her candidature during counselling.

9. The learned Standing Counsel for the fifth respondent confirms that the Counselling is yet to start and will commence on 30.07.2025.

10. Considering the same, I am inclined to dispose of this Writ Petition by directing the fifth respondent to overlook the technical mistakes committed by the petitioner and to include the name of the petitioner in the merit list against the candidates eligible under the Scheduled Caste category. 5/7

6. This Writ Petition is disposed of, with the above observations. No costs. Index : Yes / No 28.07.2025 Internet : Yes / No apd Note: Issue on 28.07.2025.

To

1. The Secretary, National Testing Agency, (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (UG)), Department of Higher Education, MHRD, NSIC - MDPP Building Okla, Industrial Estate Phase III, New Delhi.

2. The Director of Medical Education, No.162, Periyar EVR High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 10.

3. The Selection Committee, Represented by its Chairman, Directorate of Medical Education, No.163, Periyar EVR High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 10.

6/7

C.SARAVANAN, J.

apd 28.07.2025 7/7