Punjab: Quota criteria relaxed, big rise in NRI candidates for MBBS

Faridkot, August 26

There has been a sudden increase in the number of candidates in the NRI quota of MBBS seats in Punjab after the state government relaxed the eligibility criteria.

In the first round of counselling, 120 candidates registered out of the total 183 NRI quota seats allocated for MBBS at the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS).

Last year, there were only 39 candidates in the first round of counselling under the NRI quota. This time, after the state government relaxed the eligibility criteria, there has been a threefold rise in the number of applicants.

The Department of Medical Education and Research (DMER) had issued a notification governing the admissions in medical colleges on August 9. As per the notification, the last date for submitting the application under the NRI quota was August 19. However, on August 20, the DMER issued an amended notification relaxing the eligibility criteria for the NRI seats. The date for submitting application was extended to August 21.

After relaxation in the eligibility criteria and the extension of the last date for submitting applications, the number of candidates rose to 120. As per the August 9 notification, NRIs or their children hailing from Punjab and other states were eligible for the quota. However, as per the amended notification, those who have first degree NRI relatives (cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents) were eligible for these seats.

The motive behind widening the ambit of eligibility for NRI seats is to fill maximum seats as every seat earns medical colleges hiked tuition fee, said sources in the DMER. The course fee for an MBBS seat in the NRI quota is about Rs 93 lakh in comparison to Rs 9.5 lakh in government colleges and Rs 58.02 lakh in private medical colleges.

Out of the total 183 NRI quota seats in Punjab, 64 seats are in four government colleges and 119 in six private institutions.

Major money earner

• The motive behind widening the ambit of eligibility for NRI seats is to fill maximum seats as every seat earns medical colleges hiked tuition fee, said sources in the DMER
• The course fee for an MBBS seat in the NRI quota is Rs 93 lakh in comparison to Rs 9.5 lakh in government colleges and Rs 58.02 lakh in private medical colleges