Ignoring MCI, Himachal medical colleges to admit NRIs without test

MCI has made it clear that degrees awarded to such students won’t be recognised under the Indian Medical Council Act

CHANDIGARH: Undeterred by the Medical Council of India’s (MCI) rejection of the Punjab government’s move to grant admission to non- resident Indian (NRI) candidates to MBBS and BDS courses on the basis of marks secured in Class 12 exams in case seats remained vacant, the Himachal government has decided to go ahead with the same decision.

According to the admission notification issued by the state’s medical education directorate even those NRI candidates who have not appeared in an entrance test can seek admission for MBBS courses in all private or government colleges even though the MCI had made it clear this was a mandatory requirement for all medical colleges in the country.

Earlier, in response to the Punjab government’s move, the MCI stated it was contrary to the council’s mandate and any degrees awarded to students who are admitted without appearing in an entrance test would not be recognised under the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956.

“No state council will recognise the degrees of such stu- dents,” the MCI had said, asking the Punjab government to retract its decision. The Punjab medical education department had earlier announced NRI candidates would be granted admission to MBBS and BDS courses in the state’s medical colleges on the basis of class 12 marks in case seats were vacant.

Dr Arvind Goyal, a PMT trainer in Chandigarh who sent a representation against the Himachal government’s decision to grant admission to NRI candidates without appearing in an entrance test to the MCI, said: “The Himachal medical education department should learn from the Punjab government’s experience. It’s a well established fact that non-meritorious students are admitted to medical colleges, ruining their careers as the degrees awarded would not be recognized.”

Medical colleges in Chandigarh have also been admitting NRI candidates on the basis of marks secured in Class 12 exams.

However, the UT administration recently announced admission would be granted to only those NRI candidates who clear the entrance test.