Jammu, Dec 14 – Hundreds of medical students and professionals staged a peaceful protest on Thursday at the Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS) in Jammu, opposing recent changes to the reservation policy for postgraduate medical admissions in Jammu and Kashmir. The demonstrators argued that the revisions compromise merit and fairness, particularly in specialty medical fields that demand the highest levels of competency.
A key grievance voiced by the protesters was the reversal of SRO 49 (2018), which previously allocated 75% of postgraduate seats to Open Merit (OM) candidates and 25% to reserved categories. The recent policy change has drastically reduced the OM quota to 26.6%, sparking fears about the erosion of meritocracy in competitive exams like the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG).
Adding to their concerns was Rule 17, a provision unique to Jammu and Kashmir, which allows reserved category students to occupy two postgraduate seats, effectively diminishing the opportunities available to OM candidates. Protesters argued that this policy creates an uneven playing field and further marginalizes students competing on merit.
In a bid to address regional healthcare challenges without compromising fairness, the protesters also advocated for the implementation of a service bond system. They suggested that a 3-to-5-year bond could effectively address gaps in healthcare delivery in underserved areas while preserving merit-based admissions.
The demonstrators stressed that these policy changes not only impact individual aspirations but also jeopardize the quality of healthcare services in the region. “Specialty courses require exceptional competence. Reducing open merit opportunities risks compromising both meritocracy and the standard of medical care,” said one protester, according to The Chenab Times.
The protesters called on the government to intervene and restore equity to the admission process, urging officials to reconsider the policies to ensure a fair and sustainable system. As of now, government authorities have not issued a response to the demands raised by the medical community.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
