Medical colleges, varsities told to follow UGC norms

By P. Sunderarajan

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 13. The Centre has asked all universities and medical institutions to strictly follow the UGC guidelines for admission of reserved category students to under-graduate and post-graduate medical courses.

The directive comes in the wake of a recent meeting of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes convened to review the implementation of the reservation policy for SC/ST students in post-graduate degree and diploma courses in medicine. The meeting had expressed concern that in several universities, SC/ST candidates were not being selected to the extent required.

Asking the universities and medical institutions to ensure that the full quota of reserved seats was filled up, a circular issued by the Union Health Ministry has suggested that the system of negative marking followed by some examining bodies in admission tests for professional courses be dispensed with. The circular issued on Wednesday has also asked them to organise special coaching for the SC/ST students so that they were better-equipped when they appeared for written tests and interviews.

A senior official in the Health Ministry said the special coaching classes would also help in ensuring that there was no risk of lowering of standards of medical education because of reservation. The universities and colleges could make use of the scheme under the UGC, which provided funds for payment of honorarium and other expenses that may be incurred for conducting such courses.

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Section  : National
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