Dr. Sanchari Ghosh's candidature for FNB Cardiac Electrophysiology cancelled for failing to meet cut-off date requirements; court emphasizes integrity in medical examinations.
In a significant judgment, the Delhi High Court has upheld the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) decision to cancel Dr. Sanchari Ghosh's admission to the FNB Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship for the 2024 session. The court ruled that Dr. Ghosh's admission was correctly annulled as she failed to meet the prescribed eligibility criteria by the cut-off date of December 31, 2024.
Dr. Ghosh, who cleared the Fellowship Entrance Test (FET) 2024 and was provisionally admitted to the fellowship at Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bengaluru, had not obtained her requisite DrNB Cardiology qualification by the cut-off date. Despite securing the qualification later, the court emphasized that the eligibility criteria must be strictly adhered to, and subsequent acquisition of qualifications cannot retroactively validate candidacy.
The court, presided over by Justice Jasmeet Singh, examined whether NBEMS could cancel Dr. Ghosh's admission after initially allowing her to join and continue the fellowship. It concluded that provisional admissions do not confer vested rights and that NBEMS is entitled to cancel such admissions upon detecting ineligibility.
Dr. Ghosh argued that the delay in obtaining her qualification was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that she had disclosed her qualifications truthfully. However, the court found that Dr. Ghosh had misrepresented her eligibility in her FET application by stating a completion date she had not achieved.
Justice Singh highlighted that eligibility determination is a policy decision within the regulatory domain of examination authorities and does not violate Article 14 of the Constitution. The court stressed the importance of maintaining examination integrity, stating that candidates must approach examinations with candor, and misrepresentation undermines the admission process.
The court also noted NBEMS's responsibility to ensure robust verification mechanisms, as the ineligible candidate had proceeded through multiple stages before detection. A cost was imposed on both Dr. Ghosh and NBEMS to underscore accountability and diligence in examination processes.
This judgment serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility between candidates and examination authorities to uphold the integrity of high-stakes medical examinations and maintain the credibility of the system.
Bottom Line :
Admissions to FET-2024 Fellowship - Eligibility criteria must be strictly adhered to, and cut-off dates are binding. Misrepresentation or concealment of facts in application forms can lead to cancellation of candidature even after provisional admission.
Statutory provision(s):
- Article 14 of the Constitution of India
