Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), Telangana's NEET-UG counselling authority, has issued a notice reclassifying 12 candidates from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) quota to the Open category for MBBS/BDS admissions in 2026-27. These candidates had migrated from Karnataka and Maharashtra to Telangana and, according to a 1990 Supreme Court judgment, are not entitled to claim ST benefits in Telangana. This reclassification directly affects their seat allotment — they will now compete in the Open category instead of the reserved ST quota, which typically has lower cutoff ranks. If your name appears on this list, you must understand how this changes your counselling outcome and seat prospects.
If you are one of the 12 named candidates, you have been moved from Telangana's ST quota to the Open category, meaning you will compete against all Open-category candidates and your seat allotment will be based on Open-category cutoffs, not ST cutoffs.
What is this notice about?
This is an official notification from KNRUHS informing candidates that 12 individuals who applied for MBBS/BDS seats under Telangana's Scheduled Tribe (ST) quota have been reclassified into the Open category. The reason: these candidates migrated to Telangana from other states (Karnataka and Maharashtra) and, under a Supreme Court judgment from 1990, they cannot claim ST benefits in Telangana.
The notice is issued under the Competent Authority Quota — the seats that Telangana fills through its own state counselling process, separate from the national-level NEET counselling. This reclassification affects only these 12 named candidates and only for Telangana's state-level counselling rounds.
The 12 candidates affected — check if your name is here
Below is the complete list of candidates reclassified from ST to Open category. Each entry shows the candidate's NEET UG roll number, NEET rank, full name, and gender. If your name appears, you must immediately understand that your category has been changed and your seat allotment will be recalculated.
| S.No | NEET UG Roll No | NEET Rank | Candidate Name | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4201212209 | 127844 | Rathod Ajay Nayak | M |
| 2 | 4201112001 | 535034 | Samiksha Khankure | F |
| 3 | 4221104132 | 652335 | Mudgulwad Datt Prasad Laxman | M |
| 4 | 4224103192 | 200770 | Chawan Aarthi | F |
| 5 | 4206106199 | 267199 | Tukaram Jadav | M |
| 6 | 4201212093 | 302687 | K C Prathibha Bai | F |
| 7 | 4221107243 | 850956 | Chavan Sahithi | F |
| 8 | 4206108042 | 357967 | Pawar Preethi | F |
| 9 | 4201310005 | 617906 | Honguthi Dhevyani Annanya | F |
| 10 | 4201313113 | 389339 | Nikita Chavan | F |
| 11 | 4221101242 | 424784 | Rathod Abhilasha | F |
| 12 | 4201305298 | 398109 | Akash Dutta | M |
Why were these candidates reclassified?
The Telangana Tribal Welfare Department, on 3 September 2026, informed KNRUHS that these 12 candidates had migrated from Karnataka and Maharashtra to Telangana. Under a judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 2 May 1990 (in W.P. Civil No. 989 of 1989), candidates who migrate from one state to another cannot claim Scheduled Tribe (ST) category benefits in their new state of residence.
This is a constitutional principle: ST status is tied to the state in which a candidate has domicile or permanent residence. Simply moving to Telangana does not grant you the right to claim Telangana's ST quota, even if you held ST status in your original state. The Supreme Court judgment ensures that ST quotas are reserved for candidates who are permanent residents of that state.
What does reclassification mean for your seat allotment?
If your name is on this list, your category for Telangana counselling has been changed from ST (Scheduled Tribe) to Open. This is a critical change because it affects which seats you are eligible for and what cutoff rank you must meet.
Under the ST quota, seats are reserved and typically have lower cutoff ranks — meaning fewer marks/rank are needed to secure a seat. Under the Open category, you compete with all other Open-category candidates, and the cutoff rank is usually much higher (meaning you need a better rank to get a seat). Your NEET rank remains the same, but the pool of candidates you compete against has changed, and the seats available to you have changed.
If you were allotted a seat in an earlier counselling round based on ST category, this reclassification may affect that allotment in subsequent rounds or in the final merit list. You should contact KNRUHS immediately to clarify your current allotment status.
What is the Competent Authority Quota?
The Competent Authority Quota refers to the MBBS and BDS seats that Telangana fills through its own state-level counselling process. These are separate from the national-level NEET counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). Telangana has the authority to conduct its own counselling for a portion of seats and to apply its own rules on category eligibility.
This notice applies only to Telangana's Competent Authority Quota counselling. If you are also eligible for national-level counselling (through MCC), your category status there may be different — you should verify separately with MCC or the national counselling authority.
What should you do if your name is on this list?
If you are one of the 12 candidates named, take the following steps immediately:
First, verify that the name, NEET roll number, and rank match your details exactly. If there is any discrepancy, contact KNRUHS to clarify.
Second, understand that your category has been officially changed to Open for all future counselling rounds in Telangana. This means your seat allotment will be recalculated based on Open-category cutoffs, not ST cutoffs.
Third, if you have already been allotted a seat in an earlier round under ST category, contact KNRUHS to understand whether that allotment will be cancelled or modified. Do not assume your seat is secure.
Fourth, check the updated merit list and cutoff ranks for the Open category to see where your rank falls. Your chances of getting a seat may have changed significantly.
Finally, keep this notice and the official communication from the Tribal Welfare Department safe. You may need to produce it during document verification or if you challenge the reclassification.
- Verify your name, NEET roll number, and rank match exactly
- Understand your category is now Open, not ST
- Contact KNRUHS if you were allotted a seat under ST category
- Check the Open-category merit list and cutoff ranks
- Keep this notice and supporting documents for verification
Can you appeal or challenge this reclassification?
The notice does not mention any appeal process or timeline for challenging the reclassification. However, this decision is based on a Supreme Court judgment and a formal communication from the Telangana Tribal Welfare Department, so it is unlikely to be reversed through a simple appeal.
If you believe the reclassification is incorrect — for example, if you are a permanent resident of Telangana and did not migrate from another state, or if your ST certificate was issued by Telangana — you should immediately contact KNRUHS with supporting documents (proof of domicile, ST certificate, etc.) and request a review. You may also seek legal advice if you believe your rights have been violated.
Any appeal or challenge should be made in writing to KNRUHS with clear evidence and should be submitted as soon as possible, as counselling rounds may proceed without waiting for your response.
Important dates and next steps
This notice was issued on 3 September 2026. There is no specific deadline mentioned for candidates to respond or take action, but you should treat this as urgent. Counselling rounds may proceed based on this reclassification, and delays in contacting KNRUHS could result in loss of your seat or eligibility.
Check the KNRUHS website (www.knruhs.telangana.gov.in) regularly for updates on counselling schedules, merit lists, and cutoff ranks. If you are affected by this notice, monitor the Open-category merit list closely to see where your rank stands.
If you have any doubts about your status or the impact on your seat allotment, contact KNRUHS immediately. Do not wait until the counselling round begins.
- Notice issued: 3 September 2026
- Action required: Immediate — verify your status and contact KNRUHS if affected
- Monitor: KNRUHS website for updated merit lists and counselling schedules
How this affects your MBBS/BDS seat prospects
If you are one of the 12 candidates, your seat prospects have likely changed. Under the ST quota, you were competing for a smaller pool of reserved seats with a lower cutoff rank. Now, under the Open category, you are competing for a much larger pool of candidates with a higher cutoff rank.
For example, if the ST cutoff rank for a particular college was 500 and the Open cutoff rank was 200, and your NEET rank is 350, you would have been eligible under ST but may not be eligible under Open. Your actual seat allotment depends on your exact rank, the number of Open seats available, and the cutoff ranks of colleges you have chosen.
The impact varies by college and course (MBBS vs. BDS). Some colleges may have more Open seats than others, and your chances may be better at some colleges than others. Review the college-wise seat matrix and cutoff data carefully once the updated lists are released.
Key legal basis: Supreme Court judgment on inter-state migration
This reclassification is based on a judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India dated 2 May 1990 in W.P. (Civil) No. 989 of 1989. The judgment establishes that candidates who migrate from one state to another cannot claim the reserved category (ST, SC, OBC) benefits of their new state based solely on their status in the original state.
The principle is that reserved categories are meant to benefit the historically disadvantaged populations of a specific state. A candidate's eligibility for reserved seats is determined by their domicile (permanent residence) in that state, not by their category status in another state. This is a constitutional safeguard to ensure that reserved seats are used fairly and for the intended beneficiaries.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
My name is on the list. What does this mean for my NEET UG 2026 counselling?
It means your category has been officially changed from Scheduled Tribe (ST) to Open for Telangana's state counselling. You will now compete for Open-category seats, not ST-reserved seats. Your seat allotment will be recalculated based on Open-category cutoff ranks, which are typically much higher than ST cutoffs. If you were allotted a seat under ST category in an earlier round, contact KNRUHS immediately to clarify your current status.
Why was I reclassified if I have a valid ST certificate?
The reclassification is not about the validity of your ST certificate, but about where it was issued. If your ST certificate was issued by Karnataka or Maharashtra (your original state), you cannot use it to claim ST benefits in Telangana, even if you now live there. This is based on a Supreme Court judgment that says reserved category benefits are tied to domicile in that state. If your ST certificate was issued by Telangana, contact KNRUHS immediately with proof to challenge the reclassification.
Can I appeal this reclassification?
The notice does not mention a formal appeal process. However, if you believe the reclassification is incorrect — for example, if you are a permanent resident of Telangana or if your ST certificate was issued by Telangana — contact KNRUHS immediately in writing with supporting documents (proof of domicile, ST certificate, etc.). Any appeal should be submitted as soon as possible, as counselling rounds may proceed without waiting for your response.
What is the difference between ST and Open category in terms of seat allotment?
ST is a reserved category with a limited number of seats and typically a lower cutoff rank. Open is an unreserved category with more seats but a higher cutoff rank. If your NEET rank is 350 and the ST cutoff is 500 but the Open cutoff is 200, you would be eligible under ST but not under Open. Your seat prospects depend on your exact rank and the cutoff ranks of the colleges you have chosen.
I was allotted a seat under ST category in an earlier round. Will my seat be cancelled?
The notice does not explicitly state whether earlier allotments will be cancelled. Contact KNRUHS immediately to clarify your current allotment status. Do not assume your seat is secure. Depending on the counselling rules, your allotment may be cancelled or modified in subsequent rounds.
Does this reclassification affect my eligibility for national-level NEET counselling (MCC)?
This notice applies only to Telangana's state-level Competent Authority Quota counselling. Your category status for national-level counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) may be different. Verify your category status separately with MCC or the national counselling authority.
What documents should I keep to prove my status?
Keep this official notice from KNRUHS, your ST certificate (if you have one), your NEET admit card, and any proof of domicile or residence in Telangana or your original state. You may need these during document verification or if you challenge the reclassification.
When should I contact KNRUHS if I am affected?
Contact KNRUHS immediately — do not wait. The notice was issued on 3 September 2026, and counselling rounds may proceed based on this reclassification. Delays could result in loss of your seat or eligibility. Use the contact details on the KNRUHS website (www.knruhs.telangana.gov.in).
How will this affect my chances of getting an MBBS or BDS seat?
Your chances have likely decreased because you are now competing in the Open category with a higher cutoff rank instead of the ST category with a lower cutoff rank. However, the exact impact depends on your NEET rank, the number of Open seats available, and the cutoff ranks of the colleges you have chosen. Review the updated merit list and cutoff data once released.
Is this reclassification final, or can it be reversed?
The reclassification is based on a Supreme Court judgment and a formal communication from the Telangana Tribal Welfare Department, so it is unlikely to be reversed through a simple appeal. However, if you believe it is incorrect, contact KNRUHS with supporting evidence. Any challenge should be made in writing as soon as possible.
If your name appears on the list of 12 candidates, take immediate action: verify your details, contact KNRUHS to understand the impact on your current allotment, and review the Open-category merit list and cutoff ranks. Do not delay — counselling rounds may proceed based on this reclassification, and any delay could affect your seat eligibility. Keep this notice and all supporting documents safe for document verification. For any questions or to challenge the reclassification, contact KNRUHS through their official website (www.knruhs.telangana.gov.in) or office immediately.
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