Karnataka introduces 15% NRI quota seats in government medical colleges
Bengaluru: In a first, Karnataka is introducing 15% Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota in government medical colleges, announced Sharan Prakash R. Patil, Minister for Medical Education.
This development follows the approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC) for 450 additional medical seats in the state, fulfilling a long-standing demand.
“This will help government medical colleges become more financially self-reliant instead of depending heavily on State grants,” The Hindu quoted Patil as saying.
The new NRI quota seats will be available starting from the academic year 2025–26, increasing the total number of seats in the state to 9,663. The first round of seat allotment, following the NEET results, had initially offered 9,263 seats.
The additional seats will be distributed equally across government medical colleges in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Chickballapur, Hassan, Raichur, and Vijayanagara, with each institution receiving 50 seats. The medical college run by the Moorusavira Mutt in Hubballi will also receive 50 extra seats, added the report.
After the NMC's announcement of adding 8,000 seats nationwide, Karnataka submitted a proposal for more seats in government medical colleges. Patil emphasised that the growing number of students aspiring for medical education each year, and the inability of many meritorious students to afford the high fees of private colleges, made the need for additional seats urgent. “Hence, we appealed for more seats, and I am glad our request has been approved,” the minister said.
In addition to the new medical seats, Patil announced that a Skill Summit, modelled on the Bengaluru Tech Summit, will be held on November 4, 5, and 6.
He also revealed plans for a job fair in Mysuru after the Dasara festivities, with registrations opening soon. A nursing summit will take place in October, followed by an international roadshow to promote the job fair.
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Road crash in UP leaves 10 dead
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."
The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.
Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.
