GUWAHATI: In a move aimed at expanding access to medical education and ensuring broader representation, the Assam Cabinet on Saturday, July 25, approved a series of amendments to the admission rules governing MBBS and BDS courses in the state's medical and dental colleges.
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The decisions were taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Cabinet approved amendments to ‘The Medical Colleges and Dental Colleges of Assam (Regulation of Admission into 1st Year MBBS/BDS Courses) Rules, 2017’ (as amended) to strengthen equitable access to medical education for students from different sections of society.
As part of the revised reservation framework, the number of seats reserved for several indigenous communities has been increased. The quota for the Moran community has been raised from eight to nine seats, while the Matak community will also receive nine seats instead of the existing eight.
Similarly, the Tai-Ahom community's allocation has been increased from 10 to 11 seats, the Chutia community's quota from nine to 10 seats, and the Koch-Rajbongshi community's allocation from 13 to 14 seats.
In a significant welfare measure, the Cabinet also approved the reservation of two MBBS seats for domiciled orphan students. These seats will be adjusted within the candidates' respective social category quotas.
To address difficulties faced by permanent residents of Assam who completed their schooling outside the state, the Cabinet approved the integration of a District Commissioner-issued certificate format, vetted by the Advocate General of Assam. The certificate will enable such candidates to claim eligibility under the State Quota during medical admissions.
Apart from the education-related decisions, the Cabinet approved a complete waiver of stamp duty on individual loan documents executed by members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM). The exemption will apply to livelihood and enterprise loans of up to ₹10 lakh availed from Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks, and other financial institutions regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
The Cabinet also approved the procurement mechanism for masur dal and sugar for the period from October 2026 to March 2027. Under the approved arrangement, the National Agricultural
Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) will handle procurement by issuing tenders and determining supply rates based on prevailing market prices.
In another key decision, the Cabinet approved mandatory registration of several categories of property-related documents to strengthen transparency and oversight in property transactions. These include agreements for sale, development agreements, property-related powers of attorney, short-term leases, equitable mortgages, sale certificates, bank guarantees, partnerships involving immovable property, and conveyances arising from mergers or demergers.