Proposal on Reservation of Seats for Doctors at PG Level Receives Mixed Response

Mixed responses to the suggestions in the proposed Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill 2016 regarding reservation of 50% seats in PG medical courses by state governments and union territories have been received. As per the suggestions, the quota will be applicable for medical officers in government services and those who worked for three years in rural areas.

Some of the experts have praised the proposal, and others indicate that there is no need to mention 50% reservation specifically as it applies to medical officers already. It is mandatory for the doctors to give national exit test and they must have worked for three years in remote areas to avail the quota.

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Former President of Delhi Medical Council, Mr. Arun Kumar supported the proposal. He felt that the quota needs to be linked to an exit exam. He further added that state governments already have the provision of 50% reservation in PG seats at government medical institutions.

Dr. Bipin Batra, Executive Director of National Board of Examinations or NBE, revealed that reserving 50% of seats will not lead to the shortage of PG medical seats in the country. The proposed suggestions are positive as the medical graduates can serve the people in remote areas for three years and gain experience.

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Dr. Manish, President of Indian Medical Association Young Doctors wing, on the other hand, criticised the proposal. According to him, if the state governments implement 50% of reservation for PG seats to medical officers, then only 50% of seats will be available to the medical graduates. He claimed that most of the states have the provision of 50% reservation for medical officers in PG seats and there is no need to apply another reservation category.