The Gujarat High Court has issued an interim stay on its earlier directive that mandated an additional stray vacancy round for the remaining MBBS seats in the state. This judicial development, effective as from February 16, comes as a significant move to maintain Seat Matrix stability for the concluding 2025-26 medical admission cycle. The bench, led by Justice Nirzar Desai, halted the process after the National Medical Commission (NMC) moved a review petition stating that any further rounds at this late stage would violate the strict cut-off dates established by the Supreme Court of India.
Judicial Intervention and the NMC Review Petition
The legal conflict began in early January when the court initially ordered the Admission Committee for Professional Undergraduate Medical Educational Courses (ACPUGMEC) to fill three vacant MBBS seats that remained after the fifth round. However, the NMC argued that the High Court's order was passed without their representation, leading to a potential breach of national medical education protocols. The current Stay Order effectively freezes the allotment process for these specific seats until the next hearing.
- Conflict with SC Guidelines: The NMC's counsel submitted that the January 6 directive runs contrary to the "Time Schedule for Completion of the Admission Process" mandated by the apex court.
- Preserving Academic Timelines: The commission emphasized that extending the Extra Round into mid-February disrupts the academic calendar for the first-year MBBS batch, which has already commenced its curriculum.
- Association Petition: The original request for the round came from the MEDGUJ Association, which sought to prevent seat wastage after three students withdrew their admissions late in December.
- Security Deposit Status: The court noted that despite a ₹3 lakh security deposit requirement intended to prevent withdrawals, the vacancy persisted, leading to this complex Judicial Intervention.
Current Status of the Seat Matrix and Aspirant Impact
The Stay Order has immediate implications for the Seat Matrix currently hosted on the ACPUGMEC official website. For the hundreds of aspirants who were hoping for a final chance at these government and self-financed seats, the window has temporarily closed. The committee is now awaiting the final verdict to determine if these seats will be carried forward or remain vacant for the current year.
| Category of Seat | Vacancy Count | Current Status |
| Government MBBS Quota | 01 | Stayed |
| SFI (Self-Financed) MBBS | 02 | Stayed |
| Total Seats in Dispute | 03 | Judicial Review |
| Total Filled Seats | 6,955 | Stable |
- ACPUGMEC Compliance: The state admission committee has sought exemption from filing further replies, stating it will strictly follow the final High Court decision regarding the Extra Round.
- Impact on BDS/AYUSH: While the MBBS process is stayed, the AYUSH admission rounds have continued their separate schedules, ensuring that dental and homeopathic matrices remain unaffected by this specific case.
- Refund Processing: In a parallel move, the committee has started the process for tuition fee refunds for unsuccessful candidates, indicating that the mainstream admission process is largely drawing to a close.
- Upcoming Hearing: The court has issued a formal notice to the MEDGUJ Association, with a returnable date set for February 23, 2026, which will likely be the final day of reckoning for these vacancies.
Conclusion
The Stay Order issued by the High Court marks a pivotal moment of restraint in the 2025-26 Gujarat medical admission journey. By halting the Extra Round, the court has prioritized the regulatory framework provided by the NMC over the immediate filling of a few leftover vacancies. This Judicial Intervention serves as a reminder of the rigid timelines that govern medical education in India. As the state moves toward the final week of February, the Seat Matrix for the MBBS course appears to have reached its final, stable form, regardless of the three disputed slots. Candidates are advised to monitor the Official Admission Portal for the final order copy following the February 23 session, which will officially conclude all legal deliberations for this academic year.
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