Yogi Adityanath orders to abolish SC, ST and OBC Quotas in Medical Colleges of UP: How would the order impact students
As the news of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s order to end reservation of the SC, ST and OBC Quota in Private Medical Colleges of the state makes way, there is sure to be a long line of questions. While the news would be much appreciated by the wider general quota candidates who fight for limited seats, it is sure to get strong criticism from the other population of candidates who only hope to make it to colleges through reservation. While the students frown or rejoice, the order could also lead to strong political opposition. However, before people rejoice or criticize, it is important to understand what exactly the order suggests and more importantly, how the order would impact the students.
To begin with, it is important to note that the order is essentially a policy reversal of Mulayam Singh Yadav Government of 2006. The order issued by the Yogi Adityanath does not prima facie abolish the entire quota system in the state. It is only related to the cancellation of SC, ST and OBC Quota for Post Graduate Courses in Private Medical Colleges of the State. The Mulayam Singh Government in UP had in the year 2006 mandated the reservation and grant of quotas even in the private medical colleges of the state. The order issued is only in effect reversing the policy implemented by a previous government. This however does not in any manner make the order any less important.
The exact quantum of the increase in number of seats open to all is yet to be calculated. With the UP CM promising opening of 6 New AIIMS and 25 New Medical Colleges, this order is sure to gain impetus. The advantage of no quota system would encourage private players to work in accordance with the government’s ambition of providing both quality education and effective healthcare facility to all. A leveled admission process is sure to add a steady mix of merit based specialized doctors to the state’s healthcare industry.
Many critics would surely cite this as a rather ambitions stint of the newly found UP Government and yet the politically charged state’s orders have strongly gained appreciation with the masses. This order is limited in its capacity of assisting only the Private Medical Colleges and students seeking post graduate seats in the state. Furthermore, students must note that the order does not mention abolishing the quota in the post graduate seats in the Government Colleges. Furthermore, the order is only for post graduate courses and not the larger block of undergraduate or MBBS course in the state.
The already limited number of post graduate seats is not going to have a very large impact on the students. It would, however, have a definite positive impact on the positioning of the state’s educational policy as more inclusive and innovative. With this one step, many people are sure to wonder if they can expect a wider abolishment of the entire Quota or the Reservation System. What happens, however, remains to be seen. This move, however, can be lauded in right measures.
