ICAR AIEEA: AIOBCSA demands 27% OBC quota in AIQ seats of state agriculture universities

NEW DELHI: The All India OBC Students' Association (AIOBCSA) has demanded implementation of 27% Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation in All India Quota (AIQ) seats of state agricultural universities. The Students’ body urged Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to take necessary action to implement the quota. In a letter addressed to the minister, the OBC students' body said that OBC reservation has not been applied under the All India Quota being filled through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission (ICAR AIEEA) UG, PG, PhD in state agricultural institutions.

"Under the All India quota, 15% and 7.5% seats are reserved for SC and ST candidates in both central and state agricultural education institute under AIQ seats in agriculture and allied courses. However, reservation for OBC candidates in these courses under All India quota seats is only restricted to central agricultural institutions. The OBC reservation is not applicable to All India Quota seats of State Agricultural Universities (SAU) under the ICAR-AU system as per ICAR AIEEA UG/PG/PhD Admission reservation rule," reads the letter.

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The students' body explained that nearly 27% seats are lost in the AlQ for OBC candidates due to the non-implementation of OBC reservations in SAUs every year. Recently, central government has taken a landmark decision to provide 27% reservation for OBCs in the AlQ scheme for UG and PG medical and dental courses. Due to this OBC students from across the country will now be able to take benefit of this reservation in AIQ Scheme to compete for seats in any state.

Number of OBC seats lost every year: AIOBCSA

"To establish equality and social justice, we request the Government of India to Implement the 27% OBC reservation in All India Quota seats of both central and state agricultural educational institutions in agriculture and allied courses," it added.