Authority: High Court of Manipur at Imphal

Order Date: 18.09.2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Preety Soibam, age ~20, daughter of Soibam Nepolean Singh, residing at Haobam Marak Chingtham Leikai, Imphal, Manipur‑795001.
  • Respondents: (1) State of Manipur represented by the Commissioner (Health); (2) Director of Medical Education, Government of Manipur; (3) Chairman‑cum‑Managing Director, Shija Academy of Health Sciences (SAHS).
  • The petitioner appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) 2026 and secured a score of 397 out of 720.
  • In the 1st round of counselling for MBBS seats, her preferences were: 1) Churachandpur Medical College (CMC), 2) SAHS. She was not allocated a seat.
  • In the 2nd round, her preferences were: 1) SAHS, 2) CMC, 3) Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), 4) Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
  • The State issued a notification dated 16.09.2026 for SAHS management‑quota seats, recommending 25 students; the highest scores were 470 and 397, the lowest 339.
  • The petitioner’s name was omitted from the list, despite her score of 397, which the petitioner argued should place her at slot 2 for the management quota.
  • Respondents contended that the petitioner had not opted for the management quota and was considered for the SAHS State quota, thus justifying her exclusion.
  • Counsel for the petitioner cited precedent (WP(C) No. 620 of 2025, order dated 12.08.2025) where candidates originally opting for the State quota were permitted to be admitted under the management quota.
  • Annexure‑A/3 and Annexure‑A/7 show the petitioner’s locked preferences but no indication that she exclusively chose the State quota; the court interpreted the preference for SAHS as encompassing both State and management quotas.
  • The court noted that SAHS itself has no role in the admission process beyond complying with the State Level Counselling Committee’s recommendations, but seats were available under the management quota.

Final Outcome

  • The court directed Respondent No. 2 (Director of Medical Education) to insert the petitioner’s name as 1(a) in the notification dated 16.09.2026, thereby placing her at slot 2 in the list of candidates for the SAHS management quota.
  • The petitioner is permitted to take admission in SAHS immediately, as today is the last day of college joining.
  • Any remaining formalities must be completed within ten (10) days from the order date.
  • The case (WP(C) No. 707 of 2026 & MC(WP(C)) No. 733 of 2026) is disposed of with no costs awarded.
  • A copy of the order is to be furnished to the counsel of the parties via WhatsApp or any other available mode.

Topics: Medical Admission, Court Order