Quota for AIIMS UG Students in PG Entrance: Understanding the Roster System

AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) has implemented a specific quota for its own undergraduate (UG) students when they apply for postgraduate (PG) courses. This quota is part of the broader roster system and aims to provide a level of institutional preference for students who have completed their MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) at AIIMS.

History and Recent Developments

Historically, there was no reserved quota for AIIMS UG students in the PG entrance process. However, a petition was submitted to the Supreme Court regarding institutional preference/reservation, leading to the current roster system. This system is now aligned with the INICET (Integrated National Entrance Counseling and Test) exam for PG admissions.

Understanding the Roster System

The roster system is a merit-based method that ensures prioritized admission for specific categories of candidates. In the context of AIIMS, this involves positions reserved for UG students from AIIMS. The process allocates seats in a sequential manner, ensuring that the top-performing students from each category get their preferred choices of courses and specializations.

How the Roster System Works

Let's take an example to understand the roster system better. Suppose there are 100 seats available across all PG courses in AIIMS Patna. The roster would be ranked based on the merit list created through the INICET exam.

Unreserved Category (UR): The first three ranks (UR-1, UR-2, UR-3) will have the first three opportunities to select their preferred courses. If these three students choose medicine, the fourth opportunity will be extended to the next best candidate based on their UR rank. OBC (Other Backward Classes): The next few allocations (depending on the percentage of reserved seats) will be reserved for OBC candidates. The OBC candidates will get the next available slots after the UR and AIIMS candidates. AIIMS UG Students (INST): The reserved seats for AIIMS UG students will be allocated at a specific rank within the roster. For instance, guess 1st, 5th, and 17th positions as the AIIMS seats. The first AIIMS rank holder (INST-1) will get the slot immediately after the last UR or OBC candidate, ensuring they get their preferred course.

Benefits of the Roster System

The implementation of the roster system is highly beneficial for AIIMS UG students. Here are a few reasons why:

Preference in Selection: AIIMS UG students, as well as those from other top institutions, can secure their preferred courses before other candidates. Increased Chances of Admission: The system increases the chances of admitted students choosing their desired specializations, which might have been out of reach under the previous system. Stability and Consistency: The new system ensures stability and consistency in PG admissions, similar to the well-established JIPMER system.

Challenges and Future Outlook

While the new system offers significant benefits, there are a few technicalities to consider:

Reservation Percentages: The exact percentage of seats reserved for institutional preferences is yet to be finalized. While the AIIMS academic committee has recommended 50% of UR seats, this decision awaits confirmation. Varied Roster Mappings: Each AIIMS branch will have its own roster, which may differ from the standardized JIPMER list. This ensures a more tailored and fair allocation process. Implementation of Policies: There is still uncertainty regarding the implementation timeline and any potential changes to the system.

Final Thoughts

The introduction of the roster system for AIIMS PG admissions marks a significant milestone in the education landscape. It addresses the concerns of previous years and ensures that students have a structured and fair process for securing their PG placements. As the system evolves, it is expected to bring a level of equality and transparency in the PG admissions process for all AIIMS students.