Maharashtra governor restores SEBC quota; promulgates ordinance for medical courses

NEW DELHI, May 21: Restoring the faith of medical aspirants in the state, governor of Maharashtra, C. Vidyasagar Rao, has given his assent to an ordinance reinstating 16 percent of Socially and Educationally Backward (SEBC) quota for candidates seeking admission in various postgraduate medical courses in the current academic year. As per the ordinance, the SEBC reservation will be extended to undergraduate medical admissions under National Eligibility cum Entrance Test.

SEBC Act 2018

The SEBC quota, colloquially referred to as Maratha reservation, was introduced last year on November 30 after a state-wide protest erupted demanding reservation for the Maratha community. The law, Socially and Economically Backward Class (SEBC) Reservation Act, 2018 covered not just educational reservation but appointment in government position under its ambit. However, a Nagpur bench, earlier this month quashed the 16 percent reservation stating that it will not be applicable in the current academic year. Consequently, admission of 253 candidates was canceled who took admission under the said quota.

On May 10, Maharashtra state counselling authority had released an official notice specifying cancellation of admission taken under previous counselling rounds. Along with that a revised merit list and fresh choice filling were also invited by the authority. In response to the ruling given by the Nagpur bench, the state government promulgated the ordinance restoring Maratha reservation.

The path ahead

So far, the ordinance has not been officially put up keeping the contents of the ordinance under a veil. Constitutionally, an ordinance must pass an assembly test within six months from the date of promulgation in order to become an act otherwise it terminates automatically. Reportedly, state government had filed a stay on the ordinance which was dismissed by the supreme court Seemingly that ordinance affects nearly 2500 open category candidates as opposed to 250 candidates who were affected by the Nagpur bench order.

The postgraduate students were informed about the cancellation of admission on May 5 and academic session had already begun on May 2. Speaking to a news agency, students expressed their will to continue the protest till they resume their duties in the respective colleges/ institution they had secured admission in.

State counselling authority’s response

In response to the ordinance promulgated, the state common entrance test cell has released official notification announcing fresh registration for SEBC candidates. The affected candidates were required to register on May 21, the merit list of which is scheduled to be released on May 22 and the choice filling for such candidates will be conducted on May 23, 2019.

Candidates can check the official notice below.