New paramedical admission norms may trigger educational crisis, closure of colleges: Sharan Prakash Patil

Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil expressed concern that new admission norms prescribed for paramedical courses by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) could trigger a fresh educational crisis and even lead to the closure of several institutions in Karnataka.

Responding to members in the Legislative Council on Monday (March 16), the Minister said the Commission had stipulated that only students who have passed II PUC in the science stream would be eligible for admission to paramedical courses. The rule has created apprehension among institutions in the State, he said.

Mr. Patil pointed out that in Karnataka, thousands of students had traditionally opted for paramedical diploma courses after completing SSLC. However, the new regulation makes completion of II PUC with science subjects mandatory for admission.

“We have discussed the issue with the chairperson of the commission and requested that the rules be simplified. The chairperson has assured us that a meeting will be convened to deliberate on the matter,” the Minister said, noting that the proposed regulation would apply across the country.

The issue was raised by Congress member Ivan D’Souza, who said the new eligibility condition would adversely affect students aspiring to pursue paramedical courses.

He said NCAHP had written to the University Grants Commission on January 2, directing that admission to paramedical courses across the country be restricted to students who have completed PUC with science subjects. The directive is proposed to be implemented from the 2026–27 academic year.

Karnataka currently has 640 paramedical institutions, including 32 government colleges and 608 private colleges. If the new regulation comes into force, between 450 and 500 colleges may face a shortage of eligible candidates for admission, raising concerns about their viability, Mr. D’Souza said.

NEET issue

On another issue, Mr. Patil clarified that the introduction of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) had not reduced the number of medical seats available to the State. He said 15% horizontal reservation is available for rural students, and the government would hold discussions with the Higher Education Department to explore additional measures to support students from rural areas preparing for the examination.

Ambulances

Responding to a separate question on emergency medical services, Mr. Patil said there was no shortage of ambulances in the State. While the National Health Mission guidelines require around 820 ambulances for Karnataka’s population, the State currently has 1,715 ambulances in service under the NHM and the 108 Arogya Kavacha emergency service.

Of these, 715 ambulances operate through a centralised command and control system under the 108 service, while about 1,000 are managed by local hospitals. The government is taking steps to bring all 1,715 ambulances under a unified command and control centre and integrate them with the emergency helpline 112 within the next three months, he said.

Cancer treatment

Oncology services will soon begin at the peripheral cancer centres in Tumakuru and Mysuru. The construction of buildings for these centres has been completed and measures are underway to complete the recruitment of medical and non-medical staff and to procure and install the required medical equipment at the centres, the Minister said.