In a major relief for medical aspirants, the Supreme Court of India has extended interim protection to the Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR), ensuring that 150 MBBS and 49 postgraduate (PG) medical seats will be available for the 2026–27 academic session.
The order effectively bypasses an ongoing administrative deadlock, preventing valuable medical seats from going vacant due to an internal family and institutional dispute.
The Legal Context: Asad Mueed v. Jamia Hamdard
The ruling was delivered by a division bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan in the case titled Asad Mueed & Ors. v. Jamia Hamdard Deemed To Be University & Ors. (Special Leave to Appeal (C) No. 3280/2026).
Recognizing the “peculiar facts” of the case, the bench ruled that Jamia Hamdard Deemed to be University will be legally deemed to have granted affiliation consent to HIMSR for the upcoming academic year. This arrangement remains temporary and is strictly subject to the final verdict of the ongoing litigation.
Anatomy of the Institutional Dispute
The crisis stems from a family settlement that fractured administrative control over various entities operating under the historical Hamdard umbrella.
Following the split, Jamia Hamdard University withdrew its affiliation consent from HIMSR. The university cited compliance issues under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act and the UGC Regulations for Institutions Deemed to be Universities, 2023. This sudden de-affiliation threw the legal status of HIMSR’s medical programs into jeopardy, creating massive uncertainty for both enrolled students and incoming aspirants.
A History of Step-In Protection
This is not the first time the apex court has stepped in to shield the medical college:
- January 2026: As PG counselling loomed, the Court directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to include HIMSR’s 49 PG seats in the seat matrix to protect student interests.
- February 11, 2026: Following the successful admission of 49 PG students, the Court granted its first “deemed affiliation” order for the 2025–26 batch.
The Latest Directives & Courtroom Arguments
The Supreme Court’s latest directive fully restores HIMSR’s operational capabilities for the 2026–27 academic cycle. The Court has ordered the following immediate actions:
- Portal Access: Full restoration of HIMSR’s access to the essential NMC portal.
- Documentation: Acceptance of the institute’s official disclosure reports by regulatory authorities.
- Student Enrolment: Immediate issuance of formal enrolment numbers to the 49 PG students admitted under the previous cycle.
- Seat Clearance: Unhindered permission to conduct admissions for 150 MBBS and 49 PG seats.
Arguments from Counsel
During the arguments, Senior Advocate Dhruv Mehta, representing the petitioners, emphasized that blocking NMC portal access would catastrophically paralyze the upcoming MBBS admission cycle.
On the other side, Senior Advocate P. Chidambaram, appearing for Jamia Hamdard, clarified that the university had no intention of obstructing the academic prospects of students. However, he underscored valid institutional anxieties regarding strict UGC regulatory compliance, expert committee observations, and critical findings in a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.
To balance these concerns, the petitioners gave an undertaking to the Court that HIMSR will maintain entirely independent financial accounts for MBBS admissions, routinely furnish fee details to the university, and actively address the regulatory lapses highlighted by the CAG and UGC.
Why the Ruling Matters to Aspirants
| Seat Category | Approved Intake (2026-27) | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS | 150 Seats | Cleared for 2026-27 Counselling |
| Postgraduate (MD/MS) | 49 Seats | Cleared for 2026-27 Counselling |
This development sets a vital precedent, demonstrating that the judiciary will prioritize student welfare over internal corporate or familial feuds. For NEET-UG and NEET-PG candidates, the ruling provides much-needed clarity, guaranteeing that HIMSR seats will be actively present in the upcoming state and central counselling rounds.
Note for Candidates: While the academic session is legally protected, the long-term status of the institute hinges on the final disposal of the Special Leave Petition. Prospective students are advised to keep a close eye on official updates published on the NMC portal and official counselling notifications.
