Students have been protesting for the past fortnight

He was speaking to doctors and medical students, who have been on strike for two weeks over the measure.

They fear the affirmative action plan will mean fewer places for upper caste students, and lower standards.

The strike has affected a number of state hospitals, and Mr Singh renewed his calls for the action to end.

Shops and other businesses have also gone on strike over the plan, with the students calling for a general strike over the issue.

'Massive expansion'

From next year, the Indian government plans to reserve half of state-funded professional college places for lower caste students from next year.

Singh renewed his call for the strike to end

But the move has sparked an outcry, with critics saying it will lead to a drop in college standards.

Mr Singh told medical students that he planned a "massive expansion" in higher education, so that more places would be available.

It was the first time he had meet the protesters since the strike began.

At present, 22.5% of college places are "reserved" for Dalits, or untouchables, who are at the bottom of India's caste hierarchy, and tribal students.

Under the new plan, a further 27% of places will be set aside for lower caste Hindus, known as other backward classes (OBCs), and other socially disadvantaged groups.

The plan has the support of millions of low-caste Indians who make up more than 50% of the country.