The framework and evolution of the All-India Quota (AIQ) Counselling Scheme have been significantly influenced by various landmark judgments and official government notifications. A summary of the same is as follows:

1. Dr. Dinesh Kumar & Ors. v. Motilal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad & Ors.
(Writ Petition Nos. 348–352 of 1985)

In this seminal judgment, the Hon’ble Supreme Court laid down the foundational principles for the AIQ Scheme, directing that 15% of undergraduate (MBBS/BDS) seats and 25% of postgraduate (MD/MS/Diploma and MDS) seats in government medical institutions shall be allocated on an all-India basis. The Court mandated that such allocations be strictly merit-based, as determined through All India or respective State-level entrance examinations.

2. Sharawan Kumar v. Director General of Health Services & Anr.
(W.P. No. 443 of 1992)

The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in this matter, affirmed and approved the AIQ Scheme as proposed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for 15% quota in undergraduate medical (MBBS/BDS) admissions, thereby endorsing the centralised counselling mechanism for AIQ seats.

3. Anand S. Biji v. State of Kerala & Ors.
(I.A. No. 16/2012 in Civil Appeal No. 1944 of 1993)

Taking note of technological advancements and the need for greater efficiency, the Hon’ble Supreme Court directed that online counselling be adopted for postgraduate medical admissions, thereby modernising the counselling process under the AIQ Scheme.

4. Dar-Us-Slam Educational Trust & Ors. v. Medical Council of India & Ors.
(W.P. No. 267 of 2017)

In this pivotal judgment, the Hon’ble Court held that a common counselling process shall be conducted for admission to both Government Medical Colleges and Deemed Universities, as the latter also offer seats with an all-India character. This marked a significant shift in ensuring uniformity and transparency across institutions offering AIQ seats.

5. Inclusion of AIIMS and JIPMER under AIQ Scheme (UG Level)

Pursuant to directives issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, from the academic session 2020–21, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) commenced centralised AIQ counselling for all AIIMS institutions (UG level) and for JIPMER Puducherry and Karaikal, thereby bringing these premier institutions under the unified AIQ counselling framework.

6. Implementation of Reservation for OBC and EWS Categories in AIQ

In line with the Office Memorandum dated 30th July 2021, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the following reservations were introduced into the AIQ scheme prospectively from the academic year 2021–22:

• 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) (Non-Creamy Layer)
• 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

This directive aimed to promote inclusivity and social justice in medical education at the national level.