Certain central educational institutions will now be able to give reservation to more ST and SC students than what is stipulated under law.

With the union cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today, clearing a proposal to amend the central educational institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, these universities could get exemption from implementing 27 per cent quota for OBCs in admission as required under the Act.

These universities, most of which are located in the North-East, will be able to continue with 15 per cent reservation for STs even though the CEI (Reservation in Admission) Act stipulates 7.5 per cent reservation for them.

The Cabinet approved certain amendments to Sections 2,3,4 and 5 of the 2006 Act.

The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) (Amendment ) Bill 2010 will be introduced in the coming session of Parliament, information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni told reporters.

The amendments are being brought safeguard interests of the tribal population in far-flung and remote areas of the North-Eastern States.

The amendment says that a CEI in the tribal areas will be governed by the reservation policy of the concerned state government in the matter of admissions of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes.

"The amendment will provide a balance between the local policy at state level and the national policy on reservation. The amendments would ensure equity and inclusiveness and meet the regional aspirations," Soni said.

These institutions are facing certain practical difficulties in implementing the Act as their statutes already provide for reservation of higher percentage than 15 per cent of the seats for SCs or 7.5 per cent of the seats for STs.

The amendment also says that period for implementing the CEI Act shall be enhanced to six years from three years, as some of the CEIs are finding it difficult to adhere to the said time limit for creation of the requisite physical and academic infrastructure.

Difficulties were experienced by some of the CEIs, particularly those situated in the north-eastern states inhabited significantly by tribal population, and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, which has been reserving 50 per cent seats for the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes.