Supreme Court directs NMC to examine Karnataka's compulsory rural service requirement for MBBS graduates; next hearing on December 8.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to examine the issue of compulsory rural service for doctors after completing their MBBS course.
A Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe passed the order while hearing a petition filed by MBBS graduates challenging the application of Karnataka's mandatory rural service requirement.
The court asked the NMC to examine the matter and posted it for further hearing on December 8.
The petitioners, who had studied in private seats at a deemed university in Karnataka, sought directions to the state's Health and Family Welfare Services Commissionerate to issue them no-objection certificates without insisting on affidavits undertaking compulsory rural service.
The dispute concerns the Karnataka Compulsory Service Training by Candidates Completed Medical Courses Act, 2012, and the rules framed in 2015.
The legislation and rules provide for compulsory public service obligations for specified categories of medical graduates before permanent registration with the Karnataka Medical Council.
The petitioners have questioned the application of the requirement to students admitted under private seats.
The Supreme Court had agreed to examine the petition in May 2024.
