States lose power, SC directs Centre to take hold of UG admissions in deemed medical universities

In a major setback, Maharashtra and all other states have lost their power to control deemed medical universities, in any way including admissions.

The apex court in its May 9 verdict has directed the Centre (Directorate of Health Services) to take hold of undergraduate admissions in all deemed medical universities across India from this year itself.

The bench headed by Dipak Mishra has also quashed the April 6 General Resolution (GR) issued by the Medical council of India and the central government. The GR had empowered the states to carry out admissions for the deemed medical institutions under their centralised admission process.

"Not the state, but Directorate of Health Services, GoI will now carry out undergraduate admissions in 10 deemed medical institutions in Maharashtra from this year onwards," Dr Pravin Shingare, Chief of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) Maharashtra told DNA.

The DMER conducts medical admissions for UG and PG courses in the state and was in the process to hold admissions for deemed colleges.

The association of deemed medical universities has challenged the Centre's GR saying that they are pan India institutions approved by the University Grants Commission, a central body. Hence, states cannot conduct admissions for them. The MCI counsel and Attorney General who appeared on behalf of the government of India, submitted that they have no objection if the DHS does the job at the national level.

The DHS has been directed to hold two rounds of admissions for the same. If seats remain unfilled, the third round will be held by the state. The right to conduct the final round has been given to the institutes.

“Even the postgrad admissions in the deemed medical universities, which is currently being done by the DMER, would be conducted by the Central DHS from next year onwards,” says Dr Shingare citing the order.

Deemed universities in Maharashtra have 1,800 MBBS and 950 PG seats altogether. The admissions in these universities across India were being conducted by their management till last year. The SC had discontinued the same last year and directed the government to bring them under the common admission process. Centre has given the responsibility to the states. The move aimed to curb the profiteering and malpractices in these universities. 

Maharashtra was also in the process to control their fee structure from next year, Girish Mahajan, Medical Education Minister had told DNA a fortnight ago.

UG Medical Admissions: 85% domicile quota in govt and 67.5% in pvt 

After losing domicile quota battle in the PG admissions, the Maharashtra government is now in the process of introducing quota for the domicile candidates, who are residing in Maharashtra for 15 years or more. “All 85% seats in Government Medical Colleges would be reserved for domiciles of Maharashtra (15% seats are for all India candidates). For private medical institutes the domicile reservation would be 67.5%. Revised ruled will be added in the admissions brochure,” says Dr Shingare.