Srinagar: The State Administrative Council (SAC) has approved merit based selections for admission to BSc Nursing, Post BSc Nursing, Paramedical and B Pharmacy courses in the State through J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE).

An official on Wednesday said that the decision was taken during SAC meeting chaired by Governor Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday night.

”There are a number of Para-Medical Institutions across the State which impart training for various para-medical courses. The eligibility for admission to various para-medical courses is 10+2 with Science. For Female Multi-Purpose Health Workers (FMPHW) and Male Multi-Purpose Health Workers (MMPHW), the eligibility is Matric. Candidates with GNM course can also pursue Post Basic BSc Nursing,” he said.

He said the selection of candidates for various Para-Medical Courses is being made on the basis of merit secured by candidates in 10+2 examination and in Matriculation examination (for FMPHW and MMPHW).

He said the admissions are being made by the institutions at their level. ”80 per cent of these seats are filled on merit and 20 per cent on nomination basis to be made by Chief Minister/Minister for Health & Medical Education. The 20 per cent quota is based on discretion and not on merit. Likewise, there is no organized procedure for admissions in the private institutions in these courses,” he said.

He said the SAC decided to centralise the admission to MSc/BSc Nursing, Post Basic BSc Nursing and various Para-Medical Courses as well as B Pharmacy through merit based selection process to be conducted through BOPEE. The discretionary quota stands abolished,” he added.

He said the decision will help to streamline the procedure for selection of candidates and improve transparency in the selection process.