Supreme Court

During a hearing on the NRI quota for MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) seats, the Supreme Court harshly criticised the Punjab government. In a stern remark, the Court stated, “We should completely abolish the NRI quota. It is a fraud. What are we doing with our education system?”

The Supreme Court made this comment while dismissing a petition challenging the Punjab High Court’s order to quash the notification that sought to broaden the definition of the NRI quota for medical admissions.

During the hearing, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud said, “This fraud must end. The High Court’s order is absolutely correct. If we look at the harmful consequences, candidates with thrice the marks are not getting admission.”

The Bhagwant Mann-led Aadmi Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab had attempted to extend NRI quota admissions to close relatives and dependents, allowing people to gain admission under the names of their NRI uncles, aunts, and other relatives.

The divisional bench, comprising the CJI, along with Justices J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, rebuked this practice, stating, “This is not a money-making machine.”

Baba Farid University and the Department of Health Sciences, on behalf of Chandigarh and Punjab, issued a prospectus for medical undergraduate courses. The last date for NRI quota applications was August 16 for undergraduate courses and August 15 for Punjab state admissions.

The petition noted that after forms were submitted on August 20, the state government altered the admission process and the rules regarding the NRI quota.

There have been allegations that when NRI quota seats remained vacant, other candidates were granted MBBS admission under the NRI quota, circumventing the rules.