Tamil Nadu took an executive route to bring MBBS quota for govt school students

75% reservation granted to government school students aspiring for MBBS admissions

October 30, 2020.

TED NewsDesk, Chennai: Tamil Nadu government has chosen to take an executive route to implement the legislation regarding the reservation in MBBS admissions. It issued an order on Thursday following a month-long delay in the Governor’s consent to a Bill passed by the Assembly in Tamil Nadu to provide 7.5 per cent reservation to government school students in MBBS admissions. The Bill was unanimously passed by the Assembly in September, whereas the ruling AIADMK and the main opposition DMK have been urging Governor Banwarilal Purohit for an immediate decision. A team of cabinet ministers met with the Governor last week with the same demand. However, on Thursday evening, the government issued an order to implement a 7.5 per cent horizontal reservation within the existing reservation system.

“Since NEET undergraduate results have now been declared and the admission process has started, there is an urgency to decide on this issue and since the power to issue executive directions under Article 162 of the Constitution of India is co-extensive with legislative powers, pending the decision of the governor,” said the order, explaining the decision.

As per the order, 7.5 per cent reservation on a preferential basis will be granted to students who have studied from Class VI to Class XII in government-run schools in admission to MBBS, BDS, BSMS, BAMS, BUMS and BHMS courses if they have cleared NEET. The order also said that horizontal reservation should be provided in each category of vertical reservation followed in the state from the upcoming academic year 2020-21. The classification between government schools, according to the order, excludes government-aided schools and includes all government-run schools, including panchayat union schools and municipal schools.

With the implementation of this order, Tamil Nadu aims to make education more accessible to students aspiring to become doctors.

Source: The Indian Express