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The Supreme Court of India has delivered a scathing rebuke of the Punjab government's expansion of the non-resident Indian (NRI) quota in medical colleges, denouncing it as a 'fraud' that undermines the integrity of the education system and unfairly disenfranchises meritorious students. This decision, delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, comes in response to a set of petitions challenging a Punjab and Haryana high court order that quashed the Punjab government's move to broaden the NRI quota criteria to include distant relatives of NRIs.
The Supreme Court's condemnation is rooted in the belief that the expansion of the NRI quota, particularly to include distant relatives, amounts to a 'money-spinning tactic' that prioritizes financial connections over academic merit. The court's bench, including Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, emphasized that this broad interpretation of NRI eligibility dilutes the original purpose of the quota, which was intended to provide genuine NRIs an opportunity to study in India. The bench's strong stance against the quota expansion underscores the importance of upholding merit-based admissions and preventing the exploitation of educational opportunities for financial gain.
The Punjab government's August 20 notification, which redefined 'NRI candidates' to encompass relatives like uncles, aunts, grandparents, and cousins, was initially challenged before the Punjab and Haryana high court. The high court, on September 11, deemed the move 'unjustified' and contrary to the original intent of the NRI quota. However, the Supreme Court's decision to dismiss the petitions challenging the high court order solidifies the court's position against the expanded NRI quota, sending a clear message that such practices are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The Supreme Court's judgement highlights the delicate balance between ensuring access to education and upholding the principles of merit and fairness. The court's firm rejection of the broadened NRI quota, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the education system, serves as a crucial reminder that admissions should be based on academic achievements, not on financial privilege or family connections. This case stands as a powerful example of the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding the principles of meritocracy and ensuring that educational opportunities remain accessible to all deserving students, regardless of their background or connections.
Source: NRI quota expansion in Punjab is fraud on education system: Supreme Court