Gujarat High Court Intervenes to Protect Medical Student's Education
In a significant ruling, the Gujarat High Court has issued an order to safeguard the postgraduate studies of a medical student at Pramukh Swami Medical College in Karamsad. The court directed authorities not to disrupt her education while her permanent registration with the Gujarat Medical Council (GMC) remains unresolved.
Background of the Case
The student completed her MBBS degree from Kathmandu University in Nepal and finished her internship there during the 2021-22 academic year. In 2023, she successfully obtained permanent registration with the Delhi Medical Council. Following this, she secured admission to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) course at Pramukh Swami Medical College in Karamsad.
In January of this year, she applied for permanent registration with the Gujarat Medical Council, as required by a National Medical Commission (NMC) notice issued in October 2025. This notice mandates that foreign medical graduates complete the registration process with the relevant state council.
Legal Proceedings and Court Order
Her postgraduate course commenced in February, but her Gujarat registration had not been granted. With Tuesday marking the deadline for registration, she approached the Gujarat High Court for relief. During the hearing, it was revealed that her application was pending with the NMC, which needed to provide guidance to the GMC for processing.
Justice Nirzar Desai presided over the case and issued a directive. The NMC is instructed to offer necessary advice or guidance to the Gujarat Medical Council within 10 days from the hearing date. Subsequently, the GMC must consider her case based on this guidance within one week.
Importantly, the court added, "In the meantime, the petitioner may not be disturbed from studying the medical course at Medical College at Karamsad." This interim protection ensures she can continue her studies without interruption.
Regulatory Involvement and Future Steps
The High Court has issued notices to several key bodies involved in the matter, including:
- The National Medical Commission
- The Gujarat Medical Council
- Pramukh Swami Medical College
- Bhaikaka University
- The Admission Committee for Professional Postgraduate Medical Education Courses
These entities are required to submit their replies by April 20, when the court has scheduled a further hearing. The NMC assured the court that the required procedural steps would be completed promptly, indicating a cooperative approach to resolving the issue.
This case highlights the challenges faced by foreign medical graduates navigating registration processes in India, underscoring the importance of timely regulatory actions to support medical education and professional development.
