New Delhi, July 24: Taking up the case of students, the union government today suggested to the supreme court that a combined all India examination should be held for selection of candidates to various government and private medical and dental colleges in different states. This was suggested by the government through Additional Solicitor General R N Trivedi and advocate Maninder Singh before a five-judge constitution bench hearing petitions for clarification of an 11-judge bench ruling on the rights of minority educational institutions. The bench is deliberating on issues relating to power of the government to regulate the admission process and the fee structure of private unaided minority educational institutions. Trivedi said students now have to appear in numerous entrance examinations, buy separate forms for several private colleges each costing between Rs 500 and Rs 1000, leave out certain tests as the date of examination clashed with others.


Stating that the students had a fundamental right to be considered for selection to the colleges of their choice, the Additional Solicitor General said "in view of the difficulties pointed out above, the central government is willing to conduct through a suitable agency, the combined all India examination for selection of candidates for admission to various government and private medical/dental colleges in different states."

Meanwhile, the Attorney General Soli Sorabjee stated that though the Unaided Minority Educational Institutions (UMEIS) have a right to frame a fee structure, but they cannot charge capitation fee or sell seats. Bureau Report