Gujarat HC Stay Keeps Additional MBBS Admission Round on Hold

The High Court of Gujarat has issued a critical stay on its previous order that directed authorities to conduct an additional stray vacancy round for MBBS admissions. As of February 18, 2026, the legal proceedings have brought the final stage of the undergraduate medical counseling in the state to a complete standstill. This judicial intervention was triggered by a review petition filed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), which argued that the court’s earlier directive to fill three vacant seats ran contrary to the strict admission timelines established by the Supreme Court of India. The stay has created significant uncertainty for the litigants and meritorious students who were hoping to secure a position in the current academic session.

1. Legal Conflict Over Stray Vacancy Timelines

The core of the dispute lies in the balance between preventing seat wastage and adhering to the NMC Academic Calendar. The High Court had initially sympathized with the "MedGuj Association," which sought to fill seats left vacant after students withdrew their admissions.

• NMC Review Petition: The council’s legal representative, Vikas Nair, argued that the High Court’s January 6 order was passed without hearing the NMC’s stance on global cut-off dates.
• Supreme Court Precedent: The NMC contended that the proceedings must align with the apex court's ruling that no medical admissions can occur beyond a specified terminal date to maintain academic uniformity.
• Petitioner's Stand: The MedGuj Association, representing the litigants, argued that in a country facing a shortage of doctors, leaving three MBBS seats vacant is a disservice to the public interest.
• Judicial Stay: Justice Nirzar Desai noted the gravity of the NMC's submission and ordered that the previous directive "shall remain stayed till further orders," effectively pausing the counseling activities.

2. Status of the Disputed MBBS Seats

While the proceedings continue, the three seats in question remain unallocated, affecting the overall seat matrix for the 2025-26 batch. The Admission Committee for Professional Undergraduate Medical Courses (ACPC) has confirmed it will strictly follow the court's interim directions.

• Impact on Allied Courses: The legal battle has also caused a ripple effect in the dental counseling stream, as candidates often shift from BDS to MBBS when new rounds are announced.
• Verification of Vacancy: The ACPC has been directed to maintain the current status of the litigants and not issue any fresh allotment letters until the stay is lifted.
• Candidate Uncertainty: Hundreds of students who were eligible for the stray round are now caught in a dilemma, unable to join other courses while the MBBS proceedings are active.
• Administrative Exemption: The ACPC has sought exemption from filing a detailed reply, stating it serves merely as an executing body for the MCC guidelines.

3. Conclusion

The current deadlock in the Gujarat High Court marks a pivotal moment for the 2025-26 medical admission cycle. As of February 18, 2026, the stay ensures that the regulatory framework provided by the NMC is upheld against regional proceedings. The final decision, expected after the February 23 hearing, will determine whether the "merit over timeline" argument holds weight in the eyes of the law. For the litigants, the coming days are crucial as they prepare their response to the NMC’s challenge. Meanwhile, the State Health Department continues to monitor the situation to ensure that the academic session for already admitted students remains unaffected by the ongoing counseling dispute.

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