HC upholds MCI regulation fixing 50% marks for MBBS admission

Updated on: Saturday, September 18, 2010

 The Kerala High Court today upheld the Medical Council of India (MCI) regulation fixing minimum 50 per cent marks in both 10+2 level and medical entrance test to secure admission for MBBS course.
   
The order in this regard was issued by a division bench comprising Justices Thothathil B Radhakrishnan and P Bhavadasan while dismissing 11 petitions filed by over 80 students, seeking continuance of studies.
   
Earlier, MCI directed the students to discontinue studies on the ground that they do not satisfy its eligibility and selection criteria.
   
The bench said the candidates must have passed in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English and obtained minimum 50 per cent in Physics, Chemistry and Biology in 10+2 and in addition should come in the merit list of entrance test.
   
None of the petitioners have secured 50 per cent in the entrance examination.
   
The bench found that admission of these students were in "clear violation" of MCI regulations. The norms are mandatory and such mandatory nature stands recognised by Supreme Court.
   
The bench pointed out that consistency in the matter of applications of regulations to higher education, including medical education, is a matter that is salutary. Any dilution to that will adversely affect the fundamental needs of society for quality in health sector and undermine the purpose of such regulations.
   
George Paul of Interchurch Medical Council said the judgement would affect 88 students -- 52 in Christian management-run institutions and 36 in colleges run by Muslim Education Society

Students admitted to the self financing medical colleges during the academic year 2007-08 had approached the court against the MCI regulations.
 
The high court had earlier provisionally permitted the petitioners to write examinations.

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