Kerala High Court Overturns Interim Relief Granting Admission of 150 MBBS Students
Court emphasizes compliance with statutory norms in medical education, setting aside interim order deemed legally impermissible.
The Kerala High Court, on September 22, 2025, set aside an interim order issued by a Single Judge that had permitted V.N. Public Health and Educational Trust to admit 150 MBBS students at Palakkad Institute of Medical Sciences for the academic session 2025-26. The Division Bench comprising Mr. Anil K. Narendran and Muralee Krishna S. emphasized that granting interim relief that effectively provides the final relief sought in a writ petition is legally impermissible, particularly in matters involving medical education compliance.
The writ appeal was filed by the Under Graduate Medical Education Board and the National Medical Commission challenging the interim order dated August 27, 2025. The appellants argued that the interim order virtually granted the final relief, which included permitting the admission of students exceeding the approved seats. The appellants contended that such an order bypasses the mandatory compliance with the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023.
The High Court affirmed that statutory compliance is essential to maintain the quality of medical education and public health standards. The court reiterated that deficiencies in infrastructure and statutory compliance should not be overlooked, and interim orders should not dilute regulatory norms. Citing precedents, the Bench highlighted that interim relief should only be granted when the petitioner presents a cast-iron case that is bound to succeed or when there is gross or apparent error in regulatory decisions.
The decision underscores the judiciary's caution in interfering with expert regulatory decisions in academic matters. The court observed that interim orders permitting admissions without adherence to statutory requirements could lead to chaos and adversely affect the quality of education.
The judgment also referenced previous Supreme Court decisions, emphasizing that interim orders should not be granted lightly, especially in cases involving the standards of educational institutions. The court reminded that medical education must be taken seriously, and expert bodies' assessments should not be lightly dismissed unless substantial evidence of jurisdictional errors is presented.
The Kerala High Court's judgment reinstates the need for strict adherence to statutory norms in medical education, ensuring that public health and educational standards are not compromised. The court's decision serves as a reminder that interim relief should not circumvent legal standards established for maintaining quality in education.
Statutory provision(s): Article 226 of the Constitution of India, National Medical Commission Act, 2019, Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023, Establishment of Medical College Regulations, 1999, Minimum Standard Requirements for MBBS Admissions Annual Regulations, 1999, Minimum Requirements for Annual MBBS Admissions Regulations, 2020.
