Mumbai: The Medical Council of India(MCI), has decided to take a step forward from the earlier one of- 'one nation one exam' by introducing a single centralized admission process for all its colleges and quotas, including management and NRI quotas.

The Council’s landmark amendment holds promise of state governments conducting centralized counselling and admission to all Post graduate and MBBS courses in colleges and institutes, which were earlier out of their sphere of influence. These included: deemed and private universities, as well as, minority institutes. The amendment looking into the future, also covers, institutions set up by companies.

"Merit and nothing else will be the consideration," said, Joint Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Arun Singhal. "This amendment covers all kinds of medical institutes and even seats under the management quota and NRI quota must be submitted to the state government for counselling and common admission," he added.

However, soon after the apex regulator’s notification was out, the deemed universities lobbying began. States are splitting hair over interpretation of the notice. Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are understanding “ all admission” as not inclusive of NRI seats. Maharashtra has sought clarification on the issue from the state government, while some other states have responded by stating that they do not have an NRI quota.

The MCI notification states: "The counseling for all admission to MBBS Course in all Medical Educational Institutions in a State/Union Territory, including Medical Educational Institutions established by the Central Government, State Government, University, Deemed University, Trust, Society/Minority Institutions/Corporations or a Company shall be conducted by the State/Union Territory Government. Such common counseling shall be under the over-all superintendence, direction and control of the State/Union Territory Government."

A notice of a similar kind has also been released for post graduate admissions. In this case however, 15% all-India quota seats would be overseen by the centre.

According to insiders, this next step of centralized admissions would end the long existing corrupt practices in the medical education system.

With focus on merit, medical education will be done with exam forgery, fake candidates taking entrance tests and cash donations that have been part of regular practice in several colleges. Merit as priority, say experts, promises much more than just an ethical breed of medical graduates.

"Students will also not be required to go to many places and submit their original documents and that makes the admission process convenient," added Singhal.

The Directorate of Medical Education and Research has received several communications from deemed universities of Maharashtra stating that the NRI quota does not fall under the state's ambit. "I have sought legal opinion from the state about their stand and I am awaiting their response," Dr Pravin Shingare, DMER Head told TOI.