Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin has urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to intervene immediately and prevent 152 vacant super-speciality medical seats from being transferred to the All-India Quota (AIQ), warning that such a move could adversely affect the state's healthcare system and opportunities for government doctors.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi expressed concern over a recent development in which the unfilled seats, reserved primarily for in-service government doctors pursuing advanced medical specializations, may be surrendered to the national pool following legal proceedings. He argued that the transfer would significantly reduce opportunities for doctors serving in Tamil Nadu’s public health system and could eventually impact the availability of specialist care in government hospitals.
According to details cited by the opposition leader, Tamil Nadu had a total of 430 super-speciality seats available through NEET-based admissions. Of these, 215 seats were earmarked for in-service government doctors under a long-standing state policy designed to strengthen specialist healthcare services in government institutions. However, only 63 of those seats were filled during counselling, leaving 152 seats vacant after the second round of admissions.
The controversy emerged after a petition reportedly sought the transfer of the unfilled seats to the All-India Quota. Following proceedings in the Supreme Court, directions were issued that could result in the vacant seats being moved to the central pool. Udhayanidhi alleged that the situation arose because the state government did not adequately defend Tamil Nadu’s position during recent hearings.
He emphasized that Tamil Nadu’s reservation policy for in-service doctors has played a crucial role in ensuring the availability of highly trained specialists in government hospitals, particularly in areas such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, and other advanced medical disciplines. Losing these seats, he argued, could weaken the state's public healthcare infrastructure over the long term.
The issue has also gained political significance because Tamil Nadu has historically taken a strong stand on medical education and state rights in admissions. Chief Minister Vijay had earlier called for greater state control over medical admissions and opposed policies that, according to the state government, disadvantage local students.
With admissions and specialist training directly linked to healthcare delivery, the dispute over the 152 seats is expected to remain a key issue in Tamil Nadu’s political and medical circles in the coming weeks.
