DNA Explainer: OBC, EWS reservation in medical colleges under AIQ - what it means and how it will work?

In a historic and landmark decision, the Modi government on Thursday declared its decision to provide 27% reservation for OBCs and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in the All India Quota (AIQ) Scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental courses (MBBS / MD / MS / Diploma / BDS / MDS) from the current academic year 2021-22 onwards.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reviewed the issue of OBC and EWS reservation in the all-India quota (AIQ) of medical education and directed the concerned Union Ministries to facilitate an effective solution to this long pending issue.

The reservation for OBCs and Economically Weaker Section will benefit approximately 1,500 OBC students in MBBS and 2,500 OBC students every year in postgraduation. Similarly, it will benefit around 550 Economically Weaker Section students in MBBS and around 1,000 EWS students in postgraduation.

About All India Quota (AIQ)

The AIQ scheme was introduced in 1986 under the directions of the Supreme Court to provide for domicile-free, merit-based opportunities to students.

Students from any state of the country get an opportunity to study in a good medical college in any other state where he/she does not belong to.

In 2007, the Supreme Court introduced reservations of 15% for SCs and 7.5% for STs in the AIQ Scheme.

Although the same examination is held across the country, a chunk of the seats in state medical/dental colleges is reserved for students domiciled in their respective states.

The remaining seats - 15% in undergraduate and 50% in postgraduate are surrendered by the states to the All India Quota. 

85% UG seats and 50% PG seats in these colleges are set aside for the applicants from the concerned state by the state governments.

In deemed/central universities, ESIC, and Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), 100% of seats are reserved under the AIQ.

So, the government's decision would affect the admissions under the remaining 15% UG seats and 50% seats in PG in these colleges.

MBBS seats in the country have increased by 56% from 54,348 seats in 2014 to 84,649 seats in 2020.

The number of PG seats have increased by 80% from 30,191 seats in 2014 to 54,275 seats in 2020.

What this means

Reservation for the OBC and EWS categories within the AIQ will be offered in medical colleges from the current academic year.

It would now allow OBC and Economically Weaker Section students from across the country to compete for seats in any state.

This decision would benefit nearly 1,500 OBC students in MBBS and 2,500 OBC students in postgraduate courses.

Being a Central scheme, the Central List of OBCs shall be used for this reservation.

It will benefit around 550 EWS students in MBBS and 1,000 EWS students in postgraduate courses as per Health Ministry.

Between 2017 and 2020, nearly 40,800 seats have been allocated under the AIQ in colleges run by state governments.

The denial of OBC and EWS reservations has been the subject of protests for years.

179 new medical colleges were created between 2014-2020, coupled with an increase in MBBS seats by 80% and PG seats by 56%.

The government claims the decision would help nearly 1500 OBC students in MBBS and 2500 OBC students in post-graduation.

Around 550 EWS students in MBBS and around 1000 EWS students in postgraduation would also avail the benefit of this.