According to The Quint, Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan announced that Five Central Poll seats will be reserved for children of COVID-19 warriors who have lost their lives due to the virus. The announcement was made on Thursday, the 19th of November.
The reservations for MBBS and BDS (Bachelor of Dental Courses), which are provided under the Central Quota, will be applicable from the academic year 2020-2021.
Who are Covid Warriors?
- Community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this.
- Private hospital staff and retired, volunteer, local urban bodies, contracted, daily-wage, ad-hoc, outsourced staff requisitioned by states, central hospitals, autonomous hospitals of central, states, UTs, AIIMS and Institutes of National Importance (INIs), hospitals of central ministries drafted for COVID-19 related responsibilities are all included in this list.
How will the selection of students take place?
Central Pool MBBS seats will be allocated for selection and nominations of the candidates from amongst the wards of “COVID Warriors”, who have their lost lives due to COVID-19; or died accidentally on account of COVID-19 related duty, the minister said.
The selection of candidates will be made by the Medical Council Committee (MCC) through online application based on rank obtained in NEET 2020 conducted by the National Testing Agency.
NEET is a medical entrance exam conducted every year for admissions to undergraduate MBBS and BDS courses. MCC holds counselling for 15 per cent of all India quota, while respective state committees conduct counselling for the 85 per cent state quota.
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