New Delhi, July 30 -- The Delhi High Court has held that where no candidate from a reserved category qualifies in a particular speciality, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) should, after obtaining the necessary approval from the State Government concerned, ensure that such seats are de-reserved before counselling so they can be filled by open category candidates instead of remaining vacant.

However, the Court clarified that once the seat matrix has been published and candidates have exercised their preferences, courts should not direct de-reservation of seats midway through the admission process.

Answering a reference arising out of a split verdict, Justice Dinesh Mehta allowed the appeal filed by NBEMS and ...