During a hearing on Wednesday, the Supreme Court addressed a petition challenging the Karnataka government's notification that requires medical students to complete at least one year of service in rural areas to qualify for permanent registration with the state's Medical Council. Justice PS Narasimha questioned whether wealthy students from private colleges have no duty towards nation-building, asserting that attending a private college should not exempt them from rural service.
Justice Narasimha remarked at the beginning of the hearing, "Do private individuals have no obligation to nation-building? Just because you study at a private institution, does that exempt you from working in rural areas? What justifies this exemption simply because you attended a private medical college?".
A bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Sanjay Karol issued a notice regarding a writ petition but expressed dissatisfaction with the argument that students from private medical colleges, who have paid for their degrees, should not be required to serve in rural areas.
The petitioners' counsel argued that language barriers and other issues were problematic.
Justice Narasimha responded promptly, saying, "So what? It is wonderful to go to different places and work. Traveling and working across various rural areas in India is a beautiful experience."
The contested scheme mandates that every MBBS graduate, post-graduate (Diploma or Degree), and super specialty candidate, whether they studied at a government university or occupied a government seat in a private university, must complete one year of compulsory public service in rural areas. They will receive a No-objection certificate (NOC) only after fulfilling this requirement, making them eligible for permanent registration with the Karnataka Medical Council.
In July 2023, this requirement was extended by government notification to include candidates enrolled in private seats at private universities.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Rasheeka MP/MSM)