The Supreme Court criticized Uttarakhands policy, which mandates AIQ MBBS students to serve in remote areas or pay ₹30 lakh, calling it impractical. It emphasized the need for a uniform national policy under the central government.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court criticized Uttarakhands 2009 policy that required MBBS students admitted under the 15% All-India Quota (AIQ) to either serve in remote areas for five years or pay ₹30 lakh. The bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, questioned the practicality of this mandate for non-state students. 

The court noted that a student from another state, primarily trained in English, may struggle to communicate with patients in Uttarakhands remote villages. While rural service is commendable, the bench emphasized that a uniform national policy, overseen by the central government, is necessary. The policy also required AIQ students to pay higher fees if they opted out of rural service, a condition the court found problematic.

(Source:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-state-cant-decide-on-rural-stints-for-doctors-from-outside/articleshowprint/119922499.cms?val=3728 )