Chennai: While only four students from government schools in Tamil Nadu were able to join MBBS in government medical colleges this year, a staggering 191 students who studied in other states have joined under the state quota in 22 medical colleges owned by the state, reveals data provided by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME).
When only one student was able to join from government schools in private medical colleges, as many as 70 students from other states joined Tamil Nadu medical colleges, according to the data obtained by RTI application.
The issue created a huge uproar in the state last year as 422 students studied in other states joined the government medical colleges after NEET was made mandatory. After obtaining nativity certificates from revenue department, they competed with the state students for medical seats.
To keep a check on a number of students from other states joining MBBS under state quota, the directorate of medical education has introduced a new rule this year saying that their parents should have done their schooling in Tamil Nadu.
"After implementing a new rule that either one of the parents should have had their schooling in Tamil Nadu, the number of students from outside the state has reduced this year. From over 400 students, it has come down to over 200 students this year," sources said.
"Till 2017, the students studying outside were not able to compete with state board students who will score very high cut-off marks. After NEET, they are scoring better in the entrance test compared to the state board students," sources added.
A case was also filed in the Madras High Court which sought to prevent students who have studied in other states joining Tamil Nadu medical colleges under state quota by providing nativity certificates. However, it is still pending before the court for more than a year.
There were complaints that students from other states, after illegally obtaining nativity certificates, are applying under state quota.
“There are some genuine cases like central government employees who get frequent transfers. While respecting the rights of the natives and residents, the state government should ensure that nativity certificates are not being misused,” said Dr.G.R.
Ravindranath, general secretary, Doctors Association for Social Equality “At present, there is no restriction on these students. We will apprise the government and come up with rules to safeguard the interest of our students,” officials added.
Headmasters from government schools urged the state government to provide separate reservation for students studying in state board and government schools. “These students have other opportunities like all India quota and the quota for their residential states to join MBBS. It is clear that state board students and government school students are not able to compete with other boards. Hence, they should be provided with a special reservation to ensure the equal representation of state board school students,” they said.
Of 2,447 seats in 22 government medical colleges, only around 40 students from government and private schools in state board joined MBBS this year. Meanwhile, 1,277 students from previous years and 611 students from CBSE schools were able to get the seats in government medical colleges.
As per rules, candidates must be domiciled in Tamil Nadu to get seats under state quota. The candidates who have studied from Class 6 to 12 in Tamil Nadu do not need to submit the domicile or nativity certificate while, the candidates who have studied class 6 to 12 partly or completely outside Tamil Nadu, have to produce it.
