New Delhi: The cabinet has given nod to 4.5% sub-quota for minorities within 27% reservation for OBCs for admission in government institutes. Following the announcement, Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has issued a gazette notification to all the Central Educational Institutions to consider the decision.

The HRD ministry also looked forward for the advice of law ministry in the matter asking if the sub-quota implementation would require amendment in the Central Educational Institutions (CEI) Act 2006 for reservations in admission.

According to the media sources, law ministry replied that notification is sufficient and no legislative intervention is required in the CEI Act.

This decision would impact admission in the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), 44 Central universities and educational institutions such as National Institutes of Fashion Technology, National Institute of Design and others.

Though, advertisement for entrance test to most of these institutes has been posted, yet implementing the decision will not be problem. Officials informed that it is a sub-quota within existing quota for OBCs and the Central list of minority communities within OBCs is also available. Institutions are only required to issue a corrigendum stating the new decision.

If measured in real terms, 4.5% reservation means around 120 seats for minorities in 15 IITs and Indian School of Mines.

This year, 2600 students were enrolled in IITs under OBC quota. In 13 IIMs with a total capacity of 3500 students, minorities would grab 42 seats while in 30 NITs around 200 seats would be earmarked for minorities.