Four seats under sports quota added to MBBS, one to BDS

COIMBATORE: The long wait by sportspersons for an increase in sports quota for MBBS programme has fructified. After almost a decade, the State government has hiked the number of MBBS seats reserved for eminent sportspersons under sports quota from three to seven. It has also reserved one seat for them in the BDS programme for the very first time. According to sources, when the total number of MBBS seats under government quota was less than 1,200 in 2008, the State government had reserved only 0.25 per cent for sportspersons and the count was only three then. Instead of following the percentage, the government stuck to the count in the MBBS admission until 2017, they claimed. Sources in the selection committee said, the sports quota seats have been increased from three to seven now upon representations from various sports associations. 

Tamil Nadu Athletic Association Secretary C Latha urged the government to classify those sports that can facilitate eminent sportspersons to enjoy reservation benefits. “If Olympics sports alone are recognised for sports quota, the real sportspersons will stand a chance,” she opined. However, some sports enthusiasts felt TN should have .5 per cent reservation like Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Only two language papers in Class XI, XII
In order to reduce mental stress of higher secondary students, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department has passed an order to merge Part I and Part II of Tamil and English language papers. Instead students will appear for one examination for each language paper. Officials from the State School Education Department and State Council of Educational Research and Training have decided to reduce the number of exams after concurring with parents and teacher bodies. Now students will have to appear for only six exams instead of eight.