The Cabinet today approved the introduction of a Constitutional Amendment Bill aimed at reserving seats for socially and economically backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in unaided private educational institutions. |
The Bill also seeks to regulate the fees of such institutions. The Bill will enable states to enact their own laws to provide for reservation and set fees. |
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi told reporters after a Cabinet meeting that the extent of reservation and the issue of fees would be left to the states. |
While the impact of the move on business schools is not clear, the proposed constitutional amendments will help the southern Indian states regulate admissions in private engineering and medical colleges. |
In states like Tamil Nadu, the move could result in the reservation of nearly 70 per cent of seats in private unaided colleges, officials said. |
What impact the move will have on private educational institutions that offer professional courses and enjoy the status of a "deemed university" also cannot be gauged as it is not clear if such institutions will be regulated by states or by the University Grants Commission. |
Officials indicated that the Bill might also result in the Centre dropping its plans for a legislation to regulate admissions and set fees for private professional educational institutions. |
The decision comes despite a Supreme Court ruling that states did have no say in the reservation of quotas in private unaided institutions. |
"The Supreme Court judgment is known to you. I cannot react but only legislate for the sections that I mentioned.... I am not questioning the judgment but Parliament is the supreme law-making body," Dasmunshi said. |
He said the government was expecting the Bill to be passed during the current session of Parliament as the amendments had been backed by a "majority consensus" among all political parties. The amendments will not provide for reservation in minority institutions. |
You’ve reached your limit of 5 free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories
Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app