Former Minister in the UPA-2 government and incumbent DMK MP A. Raja in an interview with a private Tamil news channel had said that the provision of All India Quota in medical seats came into existence only after the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
He said “In all medical colleges of Tamil Nadu, they are bringing in All India Quota.. Whether reservation norms will be applied to those who enter through All India Quota is the question..”
Under the All India Quota (AIQ), states surrender 15% of MBBS seats in state-run medical colleges to the Centre. This 15% quota is up for grab for students from across the country who may not have been able to secure admission to colleges in their home states. There is also AIQ for postgraduate seats in medical education, under which states surrender 50% of their total seats to the central pool.
The All India Quota in medical seats was introduced in 1984 based on Supreme Court’s guidelines and not through NEET.
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Since 1986, OBC reservations were effected in central institutions and not in all state government colleges as each state had a different reservation policy.
The Central government is yet to come out with a policy on implementing OBC reservation in AIQ seats surrendered by the states to the central pool as the matter is currently sub judice.
The issue has several complexities as different states have different reservation policies and involves stakeholders like the Medical Council of India.
With respect to Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court has directed for the formation of a committee with officials of the Centre, state and Medical Council of India to decide on the matter of implementation of OBC reservation to state surrendered AIQ seats.
It is to be noted that A. Raja was a Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare from 2002 – 2004. The DMK which was part of the UPA government headed by the Congress for 10 years too couldn’t come out with a comprehensive policy as it involves bringing all the states on board.