EBC admission in Gujarat given before 4 August not to be canceled: Supreme Court

Gandhinagar: In a relief to Gujarat government and thousands of students, the Supreme Court has today said the admissions under 10% Economic Weaker Section(EWS or popularly known as EBC) quota already given before 4 August will not be cancelled. Next hearing on this will take place after four weeks in five-Judge bench.

Education minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasma welcomed the relief granted by Supreme Court today. Highlights of his statement:
– Admissions of students upto 4 August in Engineering, Pharmacy, MBA, MCA … such professional courses under EBC quota are protected by Supreme Court.

– Rest of the procedure of admissions in professional courses has resumed. It will be completed by 20 September this year. Late admission students will be assisted through bridge course.

– Attorney General Mukul Rohatagi and Gujarat government Advocate General Kamal Trivedi were present in Supreme Court on behalf of Gujarat government today.

–  Admission procedure in degree engineering was started on 30th May while in diploma 6th June. Most of the procedure was completed by 4 August. Around 64,000 students were given admission. Of them 3,498 students were admitted under EBC quota. More over 1700 students were given EBC quota admissions in MBA, MCA, Pharma etc courses where total number of seats is 12,000. In professional courses total 86,000 were given admission of which 5,000 were under EBC quota.  There was uncertainty regarding admissions that took place under EBC quota.

– The Supreme Court had decided to hear the case on 19 September. Due to request of Gujarat government the hearing took place earlier and admissions before 4 August are protected.

– Gujarat government notification regarding 10% EBC quota was challenged in High Court. However the High Court had refused to stay the notification and therefore admissions were given under EBC quota. Later the High Court gave verdict against EBC quota following which the State government postponed further admission procedures in courses other than medical and dental. The Supreme Court refused to stay High Court verdict which created uncertainty among students benefited by EBC. Now EBC admissions before 4 August are considered valid as of now.

DeshGujarat