Jharkhand: SC/ST admissions likely to be evaluated using percentile system

Jharkhand: MCI has received a request from the state government to introduce a new evaluation system for SC/ST candidates seeking medical admissions. A new percentile evaluation system is proposed to be implemented. The state government has proposed the new measure to lower the eligibility criteria for students from tribal backgrounds.

The proposal was submitted to the health ministry during a recent meeting conducted between the ministry and the respective state government on NEET.

During the meeting, state ministers implied that the current cut-off set by MCI for providing admissions to SC/ST candidate is posing problems for the admissions in the state. At present, the SC/ST candidate appearing for the entrance exam for MBBS admission has to secure at least 40%.

The new proposal has been formulated in order to get the best students from both the categories in medical colleges in the state. On the other hand, a controversy is already brewing up as it also sparks speculation on its objective of filling up the seats, therefore, compromising the intake quality.

A senior officer in the health department explained to TOI that, "Under the existing rules, SC and ST students who scored minimum of 40% will be eligible. In the percentile system, the minimum cut off of qualification will be calculated from the student who obtained the highest percentage in the entrance exam. This will allow students who score less than 40% in the entrance to get admission."

The move, health minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi said on Tuesday, is aimed at filling up the vacant seats in the state's three medical colleges. "In the 2013-14 academic session, as many as 53 seats went vacant after SC and ST students did not meet the eligibility criteria. In the 2014-15 session, 69 ST and 7 SC seats were vacant in the whole state," Chandravanshi told TOI on Tuesday. "The percentile system will allow us to fill up the seats," he added.

The minister in addition implied that MCI is likely to take an action on the matter soon. said the MCI has taken a note of the proposal and has promised to initiate action.

The state offers 360 MBBS seats, out of which 85% (305) are under the state quota. 150 is reserved under the SC, ST and OBC category.