CHANDIGARH, Sept 7 — After a month’s delay, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, has begun counselling for the MBBS 2025–26 session, introducing OBC reservation in admissions for the first time. The first round of MBBS counselling was held Friday, followed by BHMS counselling on Saturday, officials said.
The college administration has added three seats under the new quota, bringing the total MBBS seats to 153. The move follows a July 30 Supreme Court order mandating 27% OBC reservation in all educational institutions, and the subsequent extension of the Haryana Backward Classes Act to Chandigarh through a Ministry of Home Affairs notification in August.
Health Secretary Ajay Chagti said the process was moving ahead in line with the court directive. “Counselling is proceeding with the inclusion of the 3% OBC seats, in accordance with the Supreme Court order and the Backward Classes Act,” he confirmed.
The counselling process had been halted on August 1 while GMCH sought permission from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to expand its intake. Although formal approval is pending, a note in the seat matrix clarified that the reservation remains subject to NMC and Panjab University clearance.
This year’s implementation begins with a 3% quota, with the full 27% reservation to be phased in over six years. GMCH opened its admission portal to OBC candidates between August 19 and 22, marking the first time applicants from nearly 60 backward class communities in Chandigarh could register under the new category.
The updated seat matrix has been uploaded to the college website for students’ reference.
