Dimapur, November 1 (MExN): The dispute over Nagaland’s Central Pool MBBS quota policy has now reached the Supreme Court. The Special Leave Petition (SLP), filed by the medical aspirant who initially challenged the State’s 2021 notification.
The matter was mentioned before a Bench of Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice R. Mahadevan on October 31, which directed the case to be listed again on November 3, 2025.
The Single Bench of the Gauhati High Court had earlier quashed Nagaland’s Notification dated September 9, 2021, holding it “arbitrary” and contrary to Central guidelines, and directing that the aspirant be considered for a Central Pool seat.
However, on appeal, the Division Bench on October 23, 2025 set aside that order and upheld the State’s position — ruling that the Central Pool quota allotted to Nagaland is meant for local students in a deficit-State category, and wards of defence personnel cannot claim seats under it, since a separate Central Pool quota already exists for defence wards under the Ministry of Defence.
That Division Bench ruling is now under challenge before the Supreme Court.
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