Supreme Court Questions Authenticity of Buddhist Conversion for NEET-PG Quota
The Supreme Court of India has raised serious concerns about potential misuse of minority quotas in medical admissions, directing the Haryana chief secretary to submit a detailed report within two weeks. This development comes after two students approached the court seeking admission to a post-graduate medical course under the Buddhist minority quota, claiming they had converted to Buddhism.
Court Expresses Doubts Over Conversion Claims
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, presiding over a two-judge bench alongside Justice Joymalya Bagchi, expressed skepticism about the students' conversion claims. The bench questioned whether this represented a fraudulent attempt to secure admission advantages that should rightfully go to genuine minority candidates.
The court specifically noted that the petitioners belonged to the Punia caste, which can be classified as either Scheduled Caste or general category Jat. When the petitioners' counsel confirmed they were Jats, the CJI pointedly asked, "Then, how do you become (minority)?"
Inconsistencies in Application Details
The bench highlighted significant discrepancies in the students' applications. During their NEET-PG 2025 examination process, both candidates had identified themselves as general category applicants and explicitly stated they did not belong to the Economically Weaker Section of society.
The court observed that this sudden claim of minority status for admission purposes raises serious questions about the authenticity of their conversion and the certificates issued by the sub-divisional officer supporting their Buddhist community membership.
Strong Judicial Remarks on Quota Integrity
Chief Justice Kant made particularly strong observations during the hearing, stating: "This is another way of fraud... you want to snatch the rights of some genuine bona fide minority... you are one of the richest, best located, upper caste communities... holding agricultural lands and having facilities... you should be proud of your merit... instead of taking the rights of those who are actually deprived."
The bench emphasized that the matter requires deeper investigation, particularly regarding the issuance of community certificates by government officials. The court has directed the Haryana chief secretary to provide comprehensive details about the alleged conversions and the certification process.
Broader Implications for Medical Admissions
This case has significant implications for medical education admissions across India:
- It highlights potential vulnerabilities in minority quota implementation
- Raises questions about verification processes for religious conversion claims
- Could lead to stricter scrutiny of community certificates in educational admissions
- May prompt reforms in how minority status is verified for quota benefits
The petitioners had sought admission to Subharti Medical College in Uttar Pradesh, a Buddhist minority educational institution. Their case now awaits the Haryana government's report, which could influence how similar claims are handled in future admission cycles.
