The State of Maharashtra has been ordered by the Bombay High Court to submit all papers relating to the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) courses admission process. The instruction was given during a hearing over the state’s medical education department’s show-cause notice. Medical professionals can enrol in fellowship, diploma, and certificate programmes at CPS Mumbai, an independent organisation founded in 1912.

There are large disparities in the standards of institutions offering CPS accredited degrees, which is what gave rise to the controversy surrounding CPS admissions in Maharashtra. In a letter to the Union Health Ministry, the medical education department of Maharashtra requested advice on whether counselling could be held for approximately 1,100 CPS seats. According to the department, some institutes exhibited “severe deficiencies” as a result of the Maharashtra Medical Council’s inspection from the previous year.

Nitin Gadkari, a union minister, backed the Association of CPS Affiliated Institutes and voiced concern that, in the event of any additional delays in the admissions process for 2022, the State would lose 1,100 CPS seats. The CPS management was served a show-cause notice by the State Medical Education Department, which required an explanation of the inadequacies discovered in its affiliated institutes by March 21.

In order to recommence the admissions process, CPS filed a petition with the Bombay HC bench. Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam, the attorney for CPS, said that the notice had been given based on a report from the administrator, who had been appointed after the Maharashtra Medical Council’s tenure ended in August 2022. The appointment of the aforementioned administrator was contested by CPS, and it was alleged that the report was consequently unlawful.

The dispute has been set for further hearing on April 26, 2023, and the court has ordered the State to disclose all records relating to the admissions procedure for CPS courses. The judge commanded, “You (state) will make sure that they receive every report and recommendation. They will receive every paper fragment from this lady (Joshi).”

The State was represented by Senior Advocate Milind Sathe, who argued that the delay in admissions was due to the government’s desire to make sure the colleges had the appropriate facilities, teachers, and personnel. The court mandated that no counselling be provided before April 25.