One-third Seats in Engineering, Medical Colleges in Bihar to be Reserved for Girls

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has pitched for reserving at least one-third of seats in medical and engineering colleges in the state for girl students. Once implemented, this will make Bihar the first state in the country to provide 33.3 per cent horizontal quota for girls in the technical colleges.

The chief minister emphasised on the need for providing quota for girl students during a virtual meeting.

During the meeting Kumar said reserving one-third seats in engineering and medical colleges for girls would be a unique thing in the country and motivate more number of girls to opt for technical education. “Our aim is that boys and girls of Bihar do not have to go out of the state to study engineering and medical,” he said.

The present quota for admission in medical and engineering colleges in Bihar include 18 per cent reservation for SC, 1 per cent for ST, 18 per cent for extremely backward class, 12 per cent for backward class, 10 per cent for economically weaker section, 5 per cent for physically handicapped and 3 per cent for women from reserved caste categories.

Until now there is no provision for horizontal reservation for girls in admission to technical colleges. The reservation is provided on the basis of caste, economic condition and physical disabilities. The present quota for admission in medical and engineering colleges in Bihar include 18 per cent reservation for SC, 1 per cent for ST, 18 per cent for extremely backward class, 12 per cent for backward class, 10 per cent for economically weaker section, 5 per cent for physically handicapped and 3 per cent for women from reserved caste categories.

New Universities for Medical and Engineering

In a significant move to promote technical education in the state, the government is working on a proposal to set up two new universities – one for engineering and another for medical education.

All engineering colleges run by the state government as well as the private bodies will be governed by the proposed Bihar Engineering University. Similarly the proposed Bihar University of Medical Sciences will govern all the medical colleges run by the state government and private bodies.

Currently, there are 55 engineering colleges in the state. Out of these 38 are run by the state government while 17 are in the private sector. The number of medical colleges stands at 15. Out of these six are private medical colleges while nine are run by the government.

For setting up the new universities the government proposes to introduce Bills in the coming session of the state assembly.

Setting up of the new universities for technical education is a part of the Saat Nischay part 2, a pre-poll promise of Nitish Kumar-led party.