Domicile rules for deemed medical universities soon

Expanding domicile rules to the deemed medical universities in Maharashtra, the Devendra Fadnavis government now seeks to reserve 50 per cent postgraduate and 85 per cent undergraduate seats in these institutions for candidates of the state.

The move, which would be on line with other states like Telangana, aims to ensure more opportunities for students from Maharashtra. If approved, deemed medical universities can admit students in undergraduate courses (MBBS, BDS) who have passed their qualifying school examinations from Maharashtra under the 85 per cent quota, while only 15 per cent of the seats will be available to students of other states or NRIs.

For postgraduate courses, a 50 per cent quota is being proposed for the candidates who hold MBBS degree from Maharashtra. There is a 50% cap for the domicile quota in PG admissions, stipulated by the Supreme Court.

Government and private medical colleges in Maharashtra already have domicile rules with 85 per cent seats reserved for those who pass qualifying examinations from the state while 15 per cent seats are for all India quota.

Girish Mahajan, medical education minister, confirmed the development. In a guarded response, he said, "Discussions are still on. The domicile quota will be fixed for the PG courses first, admissions for which start from May first week." Nearly 2,400 UG seats and 1,100 PG seats are up for grab in the eight deemed medical universities in Maharashtra, most of them owned by Congress politicians. This included DY Patil Medical University (two colleges), Bhartiya Vidyapeeth (two colleges) Pravara Medical College, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad and Dutta Meghe Medical College.