Delhi High Court Intervenes in NDA Admission Dispute Over Medical Ineligibility

The Delhi High Court has intervened in a case involving a National Defence Academy (NDA) aspirant, demanding an expert opinion from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after the candidate was labeled medically unfit. The court has ordered AIIMS to establish a medical board and instructed the petitioner to appear for examination on June 20.

The petitioner, whose challenge comes through his mother, disputes the Air Force Central Medical Establishment's decision deeming him unfit due to a diagnosis of 'haemoglobinopathies' including sickle cell disease and thalassaemia variants. The Division Bench of Justices Parthiba M Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta has issued notices to the Central government and other respondents, seeking clarification on why the petitioner was disqualified without a transparent explanation.

On June 18, the court mandated the formation of a medical board by AIIMS to reassess the candidate's eligibility. Despite initial rejection from both the medical board and the Appeal Board, the petitioner, ranked 266 in the NDA exam, continues to push for admission into the course slated to begin on July 2, 2025. The next hearing is scheduled for June 25.

(With inputs from agencies.)