NEET Minorities, BCs Fear Quota Loss.

The students from minorities and backward classes are in a fix over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for admissions to MBBS courses in the state. They are worried about losing seats to students from other categories. This is because unlike Eamcet, which gives separate ranking for minorities and backward classes, there will be no separate ranking for these categories at the national-level.

Currently, the state government implements 25 per cent reservations for the backward classes and four per cent for Muslim minorities in admissions. The 29 per cent reservations are classified as A, B, C, D and E groups. While the first four categories relate to castes and sub-castes of backward classes, the fifth category pertains to Muslim minorities. However, at the national-level, there are no BC and minority categorisations. They are all are categorised as Other Backward Classes. Students want the Centre to have a provision for specifying the caste in the NEET application form, and allot separate ranking for BCs and minorities.

Even the managements of minority medical colleges are concerned about the issue. Though they are in favour of joining the NEET, they urged the Centre to ensure that the reservation matrix is not disturbed.

Source : Deccan Chronicle