The affidavit was submitted by the secretary of the Health Ministry in response to several petitions from Indian students seeking relief.
Digital Desk: In a major moment, the central government informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that medical students returning from Ukraine are not permitted to enrol in Indian colleges under the National Medical Commission Act.
Any lapse, according to the government, would jeopardise medical education standards in India.
"Students migrated to foreign countries for two reasons: poor NEET performance and affordability. Allowing low-income students into India's top medical schools may result in additional lawsuits. They will also be unable to afford the fee structure "According to the government.
The affidavit was produced by the secretary of the Health Ministry in response to a batch of petitions requesting relief for Indian students who had to stop their medical courses in Ukraine in the middle of their studies.
"It is humbly submitted that if these students with (a) Poor Merit are admitted by default to premier medical colleges in India, there may be several lawsuits from desirous candidates who could not get seats in these colleges and have taken admission in either lesser known colleges or have been deprived of a seat in medical colleges. Furthermore, if these candidates are sent to Private Medical Colleges in India, they may not be able to afford the fees structure of the concerned Institution ", according to the affidavit.
The Centre also indicated that the National Medical Commission's public notice issued on September 6 is a no-objection for academic mobility between foreign universities for students who are unable to complete their study owing to the war situation in Ukraine. That public announcement, however, cannot be utilised as a "backdoor admission in Indian colleges offering UG courses."
The hearing was postponed till tomorrow by a panel of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia on Thursday after the lawyer for the Central Government told the court that the Union Ministry has filed an affidavit.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in February, thousands of Indian medical students had to abandon their studies and flee the war-torn country. Over 22,000 Indians were evacuated from Ukraine by special flights organised by the Indian government.
Some Ukrainian colleges in the worst-affected war zones have requested foreign students to participate in "mobility" or transfer initiatives. Most universities have started the new semester on September 1.
Leave A Comment