How a 19-year-old MP NEET aspirant argued his own case in Supreme Court and won MBBS seat

A 19-year-old NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh argued his own case before the Supreme Court of India and secured admission to an MBBS course under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota.

Speaking to TOI, Atharva Chaturvedi said, “I didn’t argue emotionally, I simply placed the law as it is.”

NEET Aspirant Denied MBBS Admission Despite EWS Rank

Atharva cleared NEET 2024–25 with 530 out of 720 marks under the EWS category. However, he was denied admission because the EWS reservation policy had not been properly implemented in private medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh.


Despite clear constitutional provisions mandating 10 per cent reservation for EWS candidates in private non-minority institutions, the policy had not been operationalised in the state’s private medical colleges.

Determined to fight the matter, Atharva chose to argue his case himself instead of engaging a senior advocate.

Legal Argument Based on 103rd Constitutional Amendment

Before the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Atharva cited the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, specifically Articles 15(6) and 16(6), which provide for 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in educational institutions and public employment.

The High Court directed the state to increase seats and implement the EWS quota in private medical colleges within a year.

However, the policy remained unimplemented in the subsequent admission cycle.

Supreme Court Grants Relief Under Article 142

After once again being denied admission despite securing an EWS rank of 164 in NEET 2025–26, Atharva approached the Supreme Court through an online petition.

On 10 February, as a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant was concluding proceedings for the day, Atharva sought ten minutes to present his case. The bench allowed him to argue.

Invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court observed that the petitioner had been denied admission due to circumstances beyond his control and that state authorities had failed to comply with earlier judicial directions.

The court directed the National Medical Commission and the Madhya Pradesh government to ensure his admission to an MBBS course in a private medical college, warning that any further delay would cause irreversible harm to a deserving candidate.

Self-Representation and Virtual Hearing

Atharva told TOI that although he felt nervous initially, he had studied previous orders carefully and was confident that the law supported his case.

His father, advocate Manoj Chaturvedi, assisted him in understanding earlier judgments, but the decision to argue personally was deliberate. Travelling repeatedly to Delhi was financially and logistically challenging, prompting him to file the petition online and appear virtually.

Court observers noted the clarity with which he explained constitutional intent, reservation policy, and administrative lapses, a level of precision rarely seen even among experienced lawyers.

Determined to Become a Doctor

Despite suggestions that the courtroom might be calling him towards a legal career, Atharva remains focused on his original goal, becoming a doctor.


Inputs from TOI