Maharashtra government scraps 70:30 formula for medical admissions

The Maharashtra government scrapped the 70:30 region-wise formula for admission in medical courses in the state on Tuesday. The issue of 70% regional quota (locals from that region) for admission to MBBS course in the state has long been a problem for the students and parents who have been demanding the removal of this formula. The decision has come as a major relief to the students.

Making an announcement in the state Assembly, Medical Education Minister of the state Amit Deshmukh announced in the assembly on Tuesday that this system would be cancelled as it deprives meritorious students and thus admissions would now be based on the results of students who have appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

“Instead of the 70:30 quota, it would be ‘one Maharashtra, one merit’,” the minister said.

Maharashtra reserves seats for the 85% remaining after the All India quota of 15% in which 70% are kept aside for candidates from that region and the rest 30% for students from other regions. The regions are namely, Marathwada, Vidarbha and the rest of Maharashtra. The number of medical colleges in the state’s Marathwada and Vidarbha regions is less compared to other areas which have also been a problem for the students.