"Girls should not be deprived of the opportunity of studying in this wonderful school," she said at the 75th founder's day celebrations of the Doon School here.
Patil's comments came after Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva expressed similar views initiating a debate among the audience and teachers whether girls should also be allowed to study in one of the most prestigious educational institutions.
Pointing out the policy of the school not to give admission to girls, the Governor said she wished that the school change it.
Accepting their suggestion, Head Master Peter McLaughlin said the school would give it a serious thought.
However, Brij Bahar Singh Marya, a student of the first batch which passed out in 1935, did not like the idea.
"The basic character of the school of educating only boys should be maintained," he said.
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