(This is Part III of a three-part series of articles and Part I and Part II)
In 2022, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) led administration made a significant policy change by joining the National Pool (NP) system for medical college admissions.
This unprecedented decision involved allocating 50% of seats (173 out of 346) in Postgraduate (PG) and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programs and 15% of seats (166 out of 1,107) in MBBS undergraduate programs to a national-level competitive pool in 2024. This enabled local aspirants to also compete for berths from the vast pool of seats at the national level.
The decision was not guided by a thorough survey and analysis of the pros and cons of the policy or by an assessment of the benefits or losses to the youth.
The administration justified this policy primarily through the lens of national integration and uniformity in professional course admissions. However, a deeper analysis reveals that the implementation has exposed numerous critical systemic issues and unintended consequences.
Demographic Complexity
The demographic and competitive landscape that emerged from this policy is particularly revealing. The National Pool has predominantly benefited candidates from states with strategically advantageous positions.
In Jammu and Kashmir, a stark demographic shift is evident, with out-of-region candidates frequently outnumbering local general category candidates. This phenomenon is further complicated by significant communication challenges arising from linguistic and cultural differences, compounded by the region's challenging climatic conditions. This exposes the weakness of the argument of ‘fair competition’.
Against the surrender of 173 slots in post-graduation and 166 in under-graduate (MBBS) during 2024 in the National Pool, the corresponding gains are meagre and that too in disciplines and faculties where the Union Territory is fully saturated with additional unutilised manpower. Quite agonizingly, the burgeoning aspirants for Medical Education have been left to fend for 50% slots in PG and 85% in UG programmes of Medical Colleges, which are framed as ‘Medical Colleges in J&K’ and not ‘Medical Colleges of J&K’.
Intricacies of Reservation Structure
The reservation structure itself is intricate and multifaceted. Vertical reservations include substantial allocations for various categories: Scheduled Tribes receive 20%, Scheduled Castes 8%, Reserved Backward Areas 10%, Other Backward Classes 8%, Local Area Candidates/Integrated Borders 4%, and Economically Weaker Sections 10%. Horizontal reservations for postgraduate programs include specific quotas for children of defense personnel, paramilitary forces, J&K Police, and candidates with sports proficiency.
Children of Defence Personnel, Children of para-military forces and J&K Police and candidates possessing proficiency in Sports have 01% each horizontal reservations in PG Courses whereas for UG admissions, the percentage for J&K PM is 1%, CDP 3%, Sports 2%, and PWD 4% (10%).
Altering General Category Allocation
The reservation system and admission dynamics reveal a complex interplay of categories that substantially alters the effective General Category (GC) seat allocation. Two primary factors contribute to this intricate mechanism.
First, an extraordinary number of candidates from specific reserved categories – Residents of Backward Areas (RBA), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Line of Actual Control/International Border (LAC/IB), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) - qualify through the General Category based on merit and established cut-off scores.
When these candidates secure seats in the General Category, they are simultaneously replaced in their original category by eligible substitute candidates. Consequently, the General Category is no longer a pure representation of traditionally general category candidates, but rather an admixture of candidates from multiple categories.
Secondly, candidates eligible for horizontal reservations are predominantly from the General Category, distinguished by their exceptional academic performance. This superiority stems from their access to high-quality educational institutions exclusively serving children of military, security, and police forces. These specialized schools provide superior educational ecosystems, resulting in more meritorious candidates. This phenomenon further erodes the opportunities for merit-anchored and hardworking general category candidates.
Ideally, roster points should have been fixed across categories, mirroring the approach used in horizontal reservations for job placements. Moreover, following the administrative changes of August 5, 2019, the special provisions for children of personnel in uniformed services are no longer justifiable. The long-term postings and family settlements now entitle these candidates to "Domicile status," rendering them standard candidates for medical college admissions.
Most critically, the current system effectively erodes the General Category (GC) quota. For postgraduate programs, the quota diminishes from a nominal 40% (68 seats) to a practical 25.43%. Similarly, undergraduate programs see a reduction from 40% (376 seats) to 35%. This systematic reduction significantly impacts meritorious candidates from the general category.
Local Self Governance Limitations
This policy that is a reversal of the stated policy standpoints of previous elected governments in Jammu and Kashmir should ordinarily have been decided by an elected government. The Lieutenant Governor has not acted on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
The governance approach underlying this policy bears a striking resemblance to the colonial-era dyarchy system (Government of India Act, 1919 and Act of 1935), where key administrative decisions circumvent locally elected representatives. This administrative methodology has inadvertently sparked a growing sentiment for local self-governance, reminiscent of historical movements against external administrative control. A little push can trigger a tsunami-like situation.
Allocated General Category Quota: 68+ seats (40%).
Candidates from Other Categories Selected in General Category: 23.
Candidates Under Horizontal Reservations: 1 seat utilized (against 5 reserved seats).
Total External Candidates: 24.
Effective Reduction:
General Category quota drops from 68 to 44 seats.
Percentage Reduction: From 40% to 25.43%.
Allocated General Category Quota: 376 seats (40%).
Candidates from Other Categories Selected in General Category: 46.
Horizontal Reservations Utilized: 68 seats (10%).
Effective Reduction:
Percentage Reduction: From 40% to 35%.
Postgraduate (PG) Programs:
Significant reduction in General Category seats due to the impact of external candidates and horizontal reservations.
Percentage reduction is notable, dropping to 25.43%.
Undergraduate (UG) Programs:
Horizontal reservation utilization is higher at 10%.
General Category seats experienced a smaller reduction compared to PG, dropping to 35%.
Recommendations
Therefore, some corrective steps need to be taken immediately.
The Government must reconsider participation in the National Pool, comprehensively review reservation policies—especially for specialized medical education—and develop a more sophisticated approach to admissions that balances national integration with local opportunities.
The public discourse on reservations for Postgraduate and Super Specialty medical courses demands a comprehensive national review based on several critical considerations.
The justification for reservations begins to lose ground when applied to advanced academic stages. Despite initial disparities, candidates now encounter remarkable uniformities across educational landscapes. Quality education, institutional facilities, academic environments, and professional organizational ecosystems have become increasingly accessible to all aspirants, irrespective of their categorical classifications.
During undergraduate courses, reserved category candidates receive substantial governmental support through scholarships, financial assistance, and targeted faculty interventions. These comprehensive support mechanisms create inherent advantages that extend beyond initial entry-level provisions.
Internationally, developed nations do not impose categorical boundaries in disciplines requiring intellectual exploration. Their approach prioritizes unrestricted pursuit of knowledge, particularly in domains demanding exceptional intellectual capabilities such as medical research, technology, information technology, and artificial intelligence.
The reservation framework requires sophisticated refinement, including the introduction of a "creamy layer" concept for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. This approach aims to reach previously overlooked sections within these categories, acknowledging internal socioeconomic diversities.
A progressive strategy should also involve systematically phasing out reservation benefits. This would include developing mechanisms to gradually eliminate support for candidates and their legal heirs who have already received substantial advantages, creating a time-bound transition away from perpetual categorical support.
Assessing EWS
An equally complex dimension of this policy involves the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) certification process. There are potential manipulation risks, particularly in assessing business and agricultural incomes.
One can be eligible for EWS Certificate provided the conditions listed below are met with:
I) Should not belong to any category entitled to reservations;
II) Annual family income from all sources including Agriculture, Business & salary should be less than eight lakhs;
III) Applicant's family should not own more than five acres of agriculture land (40 kanals);
IV) Applicant’s family residential flat, if any, should be less than 1000 Sq ft. &
V) Applicant’s family residential plot should be less than 100 Sq yards (3.3 Marla) within notified Municipalities & less than 200 Sq yards (6.6 Marla) outside the notified Municipalities.
The agricultural income assessment reveals extraordinary complexity. An overwhelming 83.78% of holdings are marginal, representing 47.17% of cultivated area. Significant variations in crop yields and income potential create substantial challenges in accurately determining economic status. Factors like orchard production, which can fluctuate dramatically between bumper and lean years, further complicate income assessments.
Besides, certificates of income can be manipulated by entrepreneurs in the absence of mechanisms to verify and assess the incomes including assets and properties.
Reservations require a comprehensive policy review that prioritizes a balanced approach. This approach must simultaneously address local aspirations, ensure fair competitive mechanisms, and genuinely reflect the complex socio-economic realities of the region.
(The author is a retired senior IAS officer and former chairman of J&K Public Service Commission)
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