BFUHS cancels MBBS admissions over 'double domicile' violations

The Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, has cancelled the admissions of several MBBS aspirants for claiming state quota seats in more than one state — a malpractice widely known as “double domicile”.

Invoking Clause 18 of the Punjab Government Notification dated August 9, 2024, the university has struck down multiple admissions in the ongoing counselling process.

Among those disqualified are two students from Himachal Pradesh who were already allotted seats in two private medical colleges in the state, seven students from Delhi who were also admitted in different medical colleges in Punjab, one from Uttar Pradesh and two from Haryana.

“The ‘malpractice’ involves candidates producing domicile claims in more than one state to grab MBBS and BDS seats under multiple state quotas. While the rules allow a candidate to seek admission under the state quota of only one state, many aspirants from Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have been misusing the provision by also applying in Punjab,” said Dr Rajeev Sood, vice chancellor of BFUHS.

He said that the university has consistently acted against violators.

“According to the new eligibility condition, only those candidates shall be considered for the Punjab state quota who have mentioned ‘Punjab’ as their residence state in the NEET-UG form,” he clarified.

Last year, seven medical students were expelled for the same offence. This year, with notices already issued and multiple admissions cancelled, the university has warned that candidates found guilty will face disqualification and debarment from future MBBS and BDS admissions in Punjab.

To prevent misuse, the Punjab Government has mandated that every aspirant and their parents submit an affidavit affirming that they are not claiming state quota seats in any other state or Union Territory.

Punjab offers 1,650 MBBS and 1,350 BDS seats across 11 medical and 16 dental colleges. Of these, 15 per cent of seats in government colleges are reserved for the all-India quota.

“By striking down these admissions, BFUHS has once again sent a clear warning: false domicile claims will not only lead to cancellation of admissions but also bar aspirants from future opportunities,” said Dr Sood.