Haryana's ₹36L bond policy for MBBS driving meritorious students away from govt colleges

Even PGIMS, Rohtak, among the most reputed colleges in North India, had just one candidate among the top 2000 ranks in 2022 opting for it in round one of counselling for the all-India quota, compared to 27 in 2020. In effect, these colleges are turning into preserves of the rich rather than the best.

- Rema Nagarajan

Haryana’s policy of saddling MBBS graduates instate government-run colleges with a Rs 36.3 lakh bond in addition to the tuition fees if they do not serve seven years in state-owned institutions has meant that many high NEET scorers from the state are opting to seek admission outside it while those from outside are giving Haryana a wide berth.

In round one of Haryana state counselling, out of the top 50 ranks in 2020-21, 37 had chosen PGIMS, Rohtak while 11 chose ESI Medical College, Faridabad, which is not under the state government. This year in round one, just 15 chose PGIMS, while 29 chose ESI.