Chennai: Nearly three of every four all-India quota MBBS seats in govt colleges across the country are vacant after the first round of counselling conducted by the directorate general of health services. These students have exercised the option of “free exit” and can apply again in the subsequent rounds of counselling under the state or central quota.
Counselling for admission to undergraduate medical seats is conducted online by a medical counselling committee.Every year, states surrender 15% of MBBS seats from state-run medical colleges for admission through the India quota. In Tamil Nadu, 597 (77%) of the 771 seats surrendered are vacant. Seats in premium govt medical colleges in Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore are vacant. Among the 174 students who have joined medical colleges, only 38 have retained their seats. The remaining 136 have asked for an upgrade to another college of their choice. These students will be moved to the college of their choice in R2 if they are placed. Across the country, 5,768 out of 7,918 seats in govt colleges are vacant. Among the 2,150 candidates who have joined seats allotted to them, 1,530 have opted for an upgrade.
Along with AIQ, the committee conducts counselling for admission to central institutions, central and deemed universities. In deemed universities, where the fee for the entire course is anywhere between 80 lakh and 1.5 crore, nearly 67% of seats were taken. Data showed 14% of MBBS seats in central institutes/universities, including AIIMS and JIPMER, and 11% in ESIC medical colleges were vacant. “A large percentage of people who have joined deemed universities haven’t opted for other universities. This may be because students who know they may not get seats in govt or self-financing colleges have decided to stay in deemed universities. Also, cut-off has increased in all colleges, including deemed universities,” said Manickavel Arumugam, who counsels students on admissions.
Students who didn’t take AIQ seats can apply for the second round in both state and central quotas. “It is unfair to let students drop the seats. They get allotted to a college only if they opt for it,” said Pradeep Kumar, whose nephew is awaiting MBBS admission. “Just because they scored high, doesn’t mean they can block seats like this. This doesn’t happen in any other counselling. During admissions for IITs or IISCR after JEE, students must take the seat they are given and apply for an upgrade in further rounds. If they don’t, they must exit counselling.”