Gujarat: GU, Non GU medical students battle on institutional preference

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat University’s (GU) students of medicine and those belonging to other universities in the state (Non-GU Students), are locked in fierce battle over the issue of institutional preference being given in NEET PG exam (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post- Graduation) to Gujarat university students. Nine non-GU students have challenged GU’s decision to give preference to its own students, in the Supreme Court.

A recent circular issued by the Union Ministry of Health has also led to a new controversy. The circular while calling for common counselling from the current academic year, for students of all medical colleges of the state, maintains a silence on the issue of institutional preference.

The state of Gujarat apart from the Gujarat University, houses eight other universities. The December 2016 -NEET PG Exam saw 711 GU students and 859 non GU students qualify the test. Presently Gujarat university like all others has control over 50% of its seats. The Gujarat University gives preference to its own students as the other 50% seats fall under the All India Quota.

Dr Jay Dhirajlal Modha (24) a final year MBBS student at BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad (GU) tolf Mirror, “The circular states that from this academic year, state-level common counselling sessions will be held for all medical colleges.

"We fully support the decision, however, non-GU students are misleading the state government and general public. They claim that common counselling means that there will be no institutional preference; the circular does not state this anywhere.”

Stating the Non GU university point of view, Dr Yatin Patel (25), a final year MBBS student at Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj (Kutch University) said, “To get a PG admission, there is only one common entrance exam-NEET. Now the government has also made counselling common for all. The circular while calling for common counselling, from the current academic year for students of all medical colleges of the state, maintains a silence on the issue of institutional preference.

The state of Gujarat apart from the Gujarat University, houses eight other universities. The December 2016 -NEET PG Exam saw 711 GU students and 859 non GU students qualify the test. Presently Gujarat university like all others has control over 50% of its seats. The Gujarat University gives preference to its own students as the other 50% seats fall under the All India Quota.

Dr Jay Dhirajlal Modha (24) a final year MBBS student at BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad (GU) said, “The circular states that from this academic year, state-level common counselling sessions will be held for all medical colleges.

We fully support the decision, however, non-GU students are misleading the state government and general public. They claim that common counselling means that there will be no institutional preference; the circular does not state this anywhere.”

Stating the Non GU university point of view Dr Yatin Patel (25), a final year MBBS student at Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj (Kutch University) said, “To get a PG admission, there is only one common entrance exam-NEET. Now the government has also made counselling common for all.

The NEET- PG exam conducted in December 2016, saw 711 GU students and 859 non-GU students qualify. Currently, all universities including GU have control on 50% of its seats. Thus GU gives preference to its own students. The other 50% seats fall under All India Quota. Dr Jay Dhirajlal Modha (24), a final year MBBS student at BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad (GU) said, “The circular states that from this academic year, state-level common counselling sessions will be held for all medical colleges.

We fully support the decision, however, non-GU students are misleading the state government and general public. They claim that common counselling means that there will be no institutional preference; the circular does not state this anywhere.” On the other hand, Dr Yatin Patel (25), a final year MBBS student at Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj (Kutch University) told Ahmedabad Mirror, “To get a PG admission, there is only one common entrance exam-NEET. Now the government has also made counselling common for all.