Arjun hints at quota in foreign institutions

He says that the Foreign Education Providers Regulation Bill is under discussion by a Group of Ministers.

Even as consensus eluded on the entry of foreign universities in the country, HRD Minister Arjun Singh on Wednesday indicated reservation policy will apply in these institutions.

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"All this is speculation. The law of the land, whatever it is, has to be fulfilled. People cannot be above Constitution," Singh told reporters when asked whether there would be reservation of seats for students in foreign institutions operating in the country.

He said that the Foreign Education Providers Regulation Bill, which has been referred to the Group of Ministers, was under discussion.

Asked whether there would be any cap on the fee of SC and ST students in the private educational institutions, Singh said no such proposal had come before him.

Reports said that while Commerce Ministry has suggested a much flexible approach for higher education institutions as part of measures to tap the trade potential in education services under the WTO regime, HRD Ministry wants tough regulations on foreign education providers.