More seats for SC, ST students at central universities

NEW DELHI: The government has cleared amendments to Central Education Institutions (reservations in admission) Act, 2006 that will allow certain central educational institutions to give higher reservation to SC and ST students than what is stipulated under law.

As per the clearance given by the cabinet on Thursday, these universities could also get exemption from implementing 27% quota for OBCs in admission as required under the Act and instead give higher reservation to SC and ST students.

These universities, most of which are located in the North-East, will be able to continue with 15% reservation for STs even though the CEI Act stipulates 7.5% reservation for them. The CEI (Amendment) Bill 2010 will be introduced in the coming session of Parliament, information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said.

In another decision, the cabinet allowed the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research ( CSIR) to start an academy that will enable it to award post-graduate and doctoral degrees from this year.

The CSIR will set up an Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). Currently, scientists pursuing research in any of the 37 laboratories of CSIR across the country have to register themselves at different universities.