When asked why NRIs were not considered for the Punjab Pre-Medical Entrance Test (PMET), Dr Mohi said delay in seeking legal opinion on the Centre’s ordinance took time. There are 102 NRI seats in Punjab’s government and private medical colleges for MBBS, while in dental colleges (for BDS) the number is 169. The Centre’s ordinance after the SC order did give the states the chance to hold their own entrance test, but also compelled Punjab to fill NRI quota seats in government colleges through a test. Clearing its stand on admission in medical courses under the 15% quota for non-resident Indians (NRIs), the Punjab government has decided to hold a separate entrance exam for them, for MBBS and BDS seats in government as well as private colleges. The abolishment of the test earlier had not gone down well with academicians as they felt it undermined merit, though private medical colleges were happy since NRI quota admissions is a prime source of revenue for them.

Source: Hindustan Times June 11, 2016 14:48 UTC