Stalin Urges Tamil Nadu Government to Retain 152 Medical Seats

Tamil Nadu’s public healthcare infrastructure faces a significant setback as 152 super-specialty medical seats remain unfilled following recent counselling rounds. Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin has formally appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene and prevent these positions from being surrendered to the All-India Quota pool.

The crisis stems from the 2025 NEET examination cycle, where only 63 of 430 available seats were secured by candidates. Following the second round of counselling, the remaining 152 vacancies are now at risk of being transferred to central control. This administrative vulnerability traces back to a May 29 Supreme Court ruling, which occurred after state representatives failed to present a robust defense in litigation brought by a medical aspirant.

Stalin warned that losing these seats would erode the quality of specialized care within state-run hospitals and diminish opportunities for local government doctors. He invoked the legacy of the late Chief Minister Kalaignar, who established the reservation framework for in-service practitioners, arguing that the state must now mount a legal or administrative challenge to protect these slots. Without immediate intervention, the state risks permanently forfeiting its capacity to train and retain essential medical specialists.