Chandigarh: The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the difficulties faced by meritorious students who, despite qualifying the NEET examination, are facing financial hurdles in pursuing medical education.The Commission sought reports from the departments of medical education and research; higher education and languages; social justice, empowerment and minorities; and Baba Farid University of Health Sciences regarding the scholarships, fee assistance and other financial support mechanisms available to such students.The Commission took up the cases of four students – Mehrakdeep Singh, Aman Singh, Suprandeep Kaur and Anmolpreet Kaur – who qualified NEET but are facing difficulties in arranging the requisite fees for medical education.The PSHRC observed that while admission to medical courses is governed by the statutory NEET counselling and regulatory framework, the issue raises a larger question about the accessibility of professional education for meritorious students from financially weaker families.It observed that a student who successfully cleared NEET after years of hard work should not lose the opportunity to pursue medical education merely because the family was unable to arrange substantial fees within a short admission window, particularly where govt scholarships or financial assistance mechanisms might potentially be available.The Commission sought a report from the authorities concerned regarding the availability and accessibility of scholarships, fee concessions, financial assistance and other educational support mechanisms for such students.It also sought information regarding the Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education, including its present applicability, eligibility conditions and the categories of institutions and professional courses covered by the scheme.The Commission asked the department of higher education and languages to clarify whether a meritorious student who secured admission to an MBBS course, including against a govt/state quota seat in a recognised private medical institution, could presently avail any benefit under the scheme.If such students are not covered, the Commission sought clarification regarding the alternative financial assistance mechanisms available to them and whether govt considers a suitable merit-cum-means assistance framework for professional education.The Commission observed that merely having a scholarship scheme might not be sufficient if students were unaware of it or if they had to approach different departments and complete complicated applications within a limited admission period.It has therefore asked the authorities to examine the feasibility of creating a single-window financial assistance mechanism through which a student can simply indicate their details at the time of admission. The system can then identify the scholarships and financial assistance schemes for which the student may potentially be eligible.The Commission suggested that, wherever legally and administratively feasible, the system could integrate information—such as academic merit, NEET/JEE or other competitive examination results, family income, domicile, category, course, institution and applicable fee structure—thereby reducing the burden on students and parents.It also called for time-bound processing, online application tracking and a designated grievance mechanism, so that eligible students do not lose admission opportunities merely because their financial assistance application was pending.The Commission asked the departments concerned to examine the feasibility of framing broader state-level guidelines for financial assistance to meritorious students pursuing professional education.It suggested that govt might examine a merit-cum-means framework covering deserving students pursuing professional courses, subject to applicable law, govt policy, regulatory requirements and budgetary considerations.The PSHRC also emphasised the need for greater transparency regarding fees and financial assistance at the counselling and admission stage itself.
