SC halts NRI quota for MBBS admissions in Assam

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• Aug 25, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Supreme Court of India, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Adiz Zaman, has temporarily suspended the...

Digital Desk: The Supreme Court of India, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Adiz Zaman, has temporarily suspended the implementation of the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota for MBBS admissions in Assam. The decision comes after concerns were raised regarding the reservation of medical seats for NRIs at a cost of Rs 18 lakh per seat. The order effectively halts the NRI quota until further deliberation.

The Assam government introduced a groundbreaking measure in June 2023, announcing a 10 percent reservation of seats in MBBS courses for NRI students in medical colleges across the state. However, this move quickly caught the attention of various stakeholders, resulting in a legal intervention by advocate Adiz Zaman. The PIL specifically challenged the NRI quota arrangement that required a substantial payment of Rs 18 lakh per seat for reservation.

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Advocate Zaman's petition contended that such a significant fee for the reservation of seats was against the principles of equal opportunity and fairness in education. The PIL also questioned whether this move could potentially create a disparity in access to medical education based on economic status rather than merit.

The state government initially defended its decision, citing the need to adapt admission rules due to an increase in medical seats within Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, responding to the mounting capacity, revealed that amendments were made to the rules for MBBS and BDS course admissions in the state.

Under the proposed NRI quota scheme, 10 percent of the remaining MBBS seats, after accounting for quotas such as the 15 percent All India Quota, Central Poll, and Northeastern Council quota, were designated for NRI and NRI-sponsored students. Chief Minister Sarma emphasized the importance of maintaining the requisite academic qualifications, noting that candidates seeking admission through the NRI quota must clear the NEET UG examination.

The Supreme Court's decision to suspend the NRI quota's implementation has prompted discussions on the balance between providing opportunities to NRIs and ensuring merit-based access to higher education. The Court's order effectively halts the ongoing admission process that was based on the NRI quota.

The case will now be subject to further hearings and deliberations, during which the Court will assess the legality and fairness of the NRI quota in question. The outcome of these proceedings will have significant implications not only for medical admissions in Assam but also for the broader conversation around access to education and reservations in India.