Male Candidates to Be Included in Nursing Recruitment, Orders MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed that male candidates must be included in the recruitment process for nursing officer posts in government medical colleges across the state.

Justice Vishal Dhagat, in an interim order, raised questions over the 100% women reservation policy and sought a response from the state government and the Employees Selection Board.

The court also ordered that the examination results of applicants will remain subject to the final decision in the case.

Challenge to 100% Women Reservation

The petition was filed by Santosh Kumar Lodhi and other male candidates challenging the recent recruitment advertisement issued for Nursing Officer and Sister Tutor posts (Recruitment Exam 2026).

The petitioners argued that the advertisement reserved 100% of nursing officer posts exclusively for women, preventing eligible male candidates from applying.

Their counsel, Advocate Vishal Baghel, stated that under the Madhya Pradesh Medical Education (Non-Gazetted) Service Recruitment and Promotion Rules 2023, there is no gender-based restriction for the post.

Violation of Constitutional Rights

It was argued that both male and female candidates study the same course (BSc Nursing / GNM) and hold equal qualifications.

Excluding candidates solely on the basis of gender violates Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality and equal opportunity in public employment.

Court Proceedings

After hearing the arguments, the court issued an interim order directing authorities to include male candidates and asked the concerned departments, including the Public Health and Medical Education Department and the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board, to submit their responses.

The court also clarified that the final selection process will be subject to the outcome of the case.