Maharashtra NEET 10% EWS quota ‘unjust’, ‘unplanned’; demand for more MBBS seats or withdrawal

Maharashtra government’s latest decision to implement a 10 percent Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota in MBBS seats in private medical colleges has sparked a wave of concern among students, parents, and the medical community. The move has been called an ‘unjust decision’ for open category candidates, with many demanding an increase in seat intake or withdrawal.

The state Common Entrance Test (CET) cell has commenced the Maharashtra NEET UG counselling 2025 process for MBBS, BDS seats in government and private medical and dental colleges based on the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET UG) 2025 scores.

Amol Matele, spokesperson, National Congress Party (NCP), argued that this decision has been taken without any prior planning, and could jeopardize the academic future of meritorious students from the general category.

The Maharashtra government has ignored one of the most crucial aspects, while announcing this decision, which is the need to increase the overall number of medical seats in Maharashtra, the NCP leader remarked. The already limited seat intake will now be under additional pressure due to this 10% reservation, and the immediate impact will be put on general category students on the Maharashtra NEET UG merit list, he said.

Maharashtra EWS quota: Protest warning

Threatening a protest over the 10% EWS quota in Maharashtra NEET counselling, Matele charged, "The decision taken by the state government is a direct blow to the future of general category students. There is no planning behind this move. Imposing reservation without increasing seats only worsens the imbalance in the education system. If the voices of students are suppressed, we will awaken the government from its slumber!”

Demanding withdrawal of reservation or increase in the number of seats, the NCP Mumbai president stated, “This decision must be withdrawn immediately, or reservation should only be implemented after increasing the number of seats in medical colleges. Otherwise, the Nationalist Youth Congress – Sharad Chandra Pawar Party will take to the streets and launch a fierce agitation, for which the state government will be held responsible."

This issue is not just about reservation – it is about justice for students who strive to pursue education based on merit, he said.

Among the demands of the opposition party are introduction of EWS reservation in minority institutions. The party recommended holding transparent consultation session with concerned parents, students, and academic experts and considering the educational rights and opportunities of general category students before implementing such decisions.

Maharashtra MBBS Admissions: SC case in suggestion

Condemning the decision, a medical education counsellor said that the move violates the government resolution and suggested students and parents to approach the Supreme Court seeking a 10% increase in MBBS seats in private medical colleges.

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“EWS thumb rule is no college can add EWS quota seats without increasing the seats as EWS added shouldn't disturb or hamper open category seats.. This is against their implementation of the GR,” asserted Jasmine Gogri and asked who will ring the bell.

The parents of the students who are becoming the victims of the new admission policy should immediately approach the SC and get 10% seats added in private medical colleges and other fields, she added.