-Reshma Ravishanker

The union government on Thursday announced a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC), a 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in the All India quota for medical and dental courses. This is enforced for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the all-India quota which comprises 15 % of the total available undergraduate and 50 % of the available in the government medical colleges.

The reservation policy is set to come into effect from the current academic year, and those students aspiring to study MBBS, MD, MS, Diploma, BDS and MDS are likely to benefit. Under this, over 5,500 students—1,500 OBC in MBBS, 2,500 OBC in post-graduation, 550 from the EWS in MBBS and 1000 students in post-graduation.  

This came as a clarification given by the union government submitted to the Madras High Court following a petition filed by the DMK. The Madras High Court had asked the center to state its stand on the reservations given to OBC in the all India quota in the wake of seats surrendered for admission into medical and dental courses by Tamil Nadu for the academic year 2021-22.

Citing that it will benefit thousands of students every year get better opportunities, prime minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and said, “Our government has taken a landmark decision for providing 27 % reservation for OBCs and 10 % reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in the All India Quota scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental courses from the current academic year.” 

Our Government has taken a landmark decision for providing 27% reservation for OBCs and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Section in the All India Quota Scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental courses from the current academic year. https://t.co/gv2EygCZ7N

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 29, 2021

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