Assam career: The Assam government has significantly relaxed medical admission rules, opening the way for more local students to apply under the state quota, according to The Telegraph. The state cabinet approved the policy change on Monday, making permanent residents of Assam who completed their schooling outside the state eligible for admission to MBBS and BDS courses under the state quota. This requires their families to prove three generations of permanent residence in Assam. The relevant district commissioner will certify this residency status.
Changes to Old Rules and Benefits
The decision also amended the 2017 Medical and Dental College Admission Rules (MBBS/BDS 1st Year). The cabinet also removed a controversial rule requiring students to complete classes VII to XII in Assam. According to officials, this condition prevented genuine Assam residents studying outside the state from availing the state quota. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured that this decision will not harm existing candidates. He said, “There are approximately 1,800 medical seats in the state, so this decision will not adversely affect anyone.”
The Moran community will also benefit
In another significant move, the state government has decided to make members of the Moran community living in Arunachal Pradesh eligible under the state quota for MBBS and BDS admissions in Assam from the 2026 academic session. Chief Minister Sarma said, “They will be considered Assamese for medical admissions.” In March this year, the cabinet decided to issue Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) to the Moran community living in Arunachal Pradesh. The community has a population of around 30,000 and resides primarily in Namsai and Changlang districts. In Assam, the Moran community is concentrated primarily in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Sivasagar districts.
Steps to Strengthen Medical Education and Health Infrastructure
The Cabinet has approved ₹4,257 crore to modernize the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Plans are also underway to enhance infrastructure and research capabilities at the Srimanta Sankardev University of Health Sciences. This move is considered a major step toward improving medical education and health services in the state. The new regulations and investments will enhance both access and quality of medical education for local students and specific communities in Assam.
