Sonia Gandhi Writes To PM Narendra Modi Over NEET Quota: For Equity, Social Justice

Reservation for OBC candidates beneath All India Quota is restricted to Central Institutions, she mentioned

New Delhi:

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding reservation for college students from different backward lessons (OBC) in state medical schools beneath the All India Quota of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) – the nation’s sole entrance examination for undergraduate medical and dental college students. She mentioned OBC college students have misplaced 11,000 seats since 2017 because of the denial of reservation.

“I would like to bring to your attention, denial of reservation for OBC candidates under All-India Quota being filled through National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), in State/UT Medical education institutions,” she wrote within the letter.

“Under the All India Quota, 15%, 7.5% and 10% seats are reserved for SC (scheduled caste), ST (scheduled tribes) and Economically Weaker Section candidates respectively, in both Central and State/UT Medical education institutions. However, reservation for OBC candidates under All India Quota is restricted to Central Institutions,” she added.

Mrs Gandhi mentioned the denial of reservation to OBC college students in state medical establishments is a barrier to entry of medical schooling for deserving candidates.

“In the interest of equity and social justice, I strongly urge the Union Government to extend reservation for OBC candidates in All India Quota of medical and dental seats, even in the State/UT Medical education institutions”.

The All India Quota seats comprise 15 per cent of all MBBS seats and 50 per cent of PG medical seats surrendered by state governments to the Centre. Students from all throughout the nation can apply for the reservation.

Replying to litigation by political events from Tamil Nadu, the Centra last month informed the Madras High Court that it was unlikely to confess Other Backward Classes (OBC) college students beneath All India Quota in all authorities establishments except the Supreme Court comprehensively settles the pending subject.

The NEET examination, scheduled to be held in May, was deferred due to the coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide lockdown. It is rescheduled for later this month. There have been calls to additional defer the take a look at amid a gradual development in coronavirus numbers throughout the nation.

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Thursday mentioned {that a} committee consisting of the Director-General National Testing Agency (NTA) and different specialists will give its suggestions to the ministry by Friday following requests to postpone JEE and NEET exams.