Tamil Nadu moves apex court over test for aspiring doctors

CHENNAI - The Tamil Nadu government has moved the Supreme Court expressing its opposition to the central government’s proposal to conduct a combined entrance exam for medical colleges from the next academic session, an official said Thursday.

The government’s petition seeking permission to present its views in a matter related to medical course admissions is expected to come up for hearing Sep 10.

The original petition before the court was filed by some students to order quickening of medical college admissions.

In its submission, the the central government said that admissions for medical colleges will be made on the basis of combined entrance exam from next academic year onwards.

The combined entrance exam for medical colleges is being opposed by political parties in Tamil Nadu on the ground that it would curtail reservations for students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes to 50 percent from 69 percent in the state.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Aug 15 wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the state’s opposition to the proposal on the entrance exam.

AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa has also opposed to the entrance exam proposal.

In its petition, the state government said the state has abolished combined entrance exams for engineering and medical colleges to enable students from rural areas to pursue these professional courses easily.

Admissions to these courses are made on the basis of marks scored in Class 12 exams.

The government has requested the apex court to allow it to be a party in the case.