cccccThe Delhi High Court has declined to grant interim relief to two Short Service Commission (SSC) Army Medical Officers who sought permission to apply for and appear in the NEET PG 2026 examination despite the revised eligibility rules introduced in 2025. The Court held that granting such relief at this stage would effectively suspend the operation of the new policy, which is already under challenge before the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT).
Background of the Case
The petitions were filed by Major Jayati Chandra and Major Eshaan Segan challenging separate orders of the Armed Forces Tribunal dated May 21 and May 27, 2026, refusing interim relief.
The officers argued that under the 2018 Training Rules for Medical/Non-Technical Officers of the Armed Forces Medical Services, SSC officers were eligible to appear for NEET PG after completing four years of service and up to ten years. However, the 2025 Rules reduced the upper eligibility limit for SSC officers from ten years to seven years.
They requested permission to apply for NEET PG 2026 as the application deadline was June 30, 2026.
Court's Observation
The Division Bench observed that both petitioners had entered service in 2017 and 2018 and became eligible to appear for NEET PG after completing four years of service. The Court noted that they had opportunities to take the examination from 2022 and 2023 onwards.
Referring to the AFT's findings, the Bench said the petitioners had either chosen not to apply earlier or had failed to secure admission in previous attempts.
Agreeing with the Tribunal, the Court observed,
"Merely on account of the fact that the petitioners have challenged the said Rules, is no ground for granting any interim relief in favour of the petitioners."
It further noted that allowing the request would effectively suspend the operation of the Training Rules, 2025 before their validity had been finally decided.
The Bench also recorded that the main matters are already listed before the AFT on August 28, 2026, and that if the petitioners ultimately succeed, they would still have the opportunity to appear for NEET PG until 2028.
Decision
Finding no infirmity in the Armed Forces Tribunal's orders, the Delhi High Court dismissed both writ petitions along with the pending applications, holding that no case for interim interference had been made out.
Case Details:
Case Title: Major Jayati Chandra v. Union of India & Ors. (Connected with Major Eshaan Segan v. Union of India & Ors.)
Case Number: W.P.(C) 8370/2026 & W.P.(C) 8372/2026
Judge: Hon'ble Ms. Justice Mini Pushkarna and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Vinod Kumar
Decision Date: 29 June 2026
