Based on a Supreme Court order, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced another round to fill undergraduate medical seats in India. There are over 2000 vacant MBBS vacant…
A month after the MBBS admissions deadline, the central government declared an additional round to fill undergraduate medical seats nationwide, per Supreme Court order. MBBS has 2,200 open seats, including 156 in the all-India quota. Total vacancies include seats where the National Medical Commission (NMC) invalidated admissions 10 days ago for breaking rules. In Maharashtra, 141 institute-level admissions were nullified.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare asked the Supreme Court to extend the admissions deadline to save “precious” medical seats for the public. An official said the ministry had received several requests from state governments and students for a special round and an extension of the admissions deadline. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Directorate General of Health Services announced a special stray vacancy round on Tuesday to fill all undergraduate seats, including MBBS/BDS/BSc Nursing seats under all-India and state quota, based on the court ruling. All admissions must end on November 15. Some places in desirable government colleges are vacant.
The court center reported 2,182 MBBS vacancies. A ministry spokesman said these include seats discharged a few days ago after the NMC circular. “The states can conduct counselling in these seats (admissions to which were declared invalid) again and regularize earlier admissions if proper NMC steps have been taken,” the official added. Unlike many other states, Maharashtra canceled 141 admissions for allowing institute-level admissions, which the NMC did not allow this year.
Will Maharashtra have to re-admit all 141 invalid seats? Parent Brijesh Sutaria asked. Two of these pupils received HC temporary reprieve. A Maharashtra medical education department official claimed there were no openings on September 30. The source said a letter has been issued to the union ministry to accept the 141 revoked admissions and is awaiting a response.
“The central government could have moved court and sought extension in October; why seek extension a month after admissions?” Sudha Shenoy, parent representative. “What will happen to these students who have been attending classes for a month?” she questioned.
The MCC circular stated that all registered candidates must pay a Rs 50,000 refundable security deposit for the special stray round. If they do not join the allotted seats, they will be disqualified from NEET next year. Only empty-seat candidates can enter this round. Candidate who did not join their seats after round three would not be eligible. Students should contact state counseling officials for state-level seats, according to the MCC. States must hold the additional round once the all-India list is released.
Conclusion
On Supreme Court orders, the national government would conduct an additional round of counseling to fill MBBS seats nationwide. This is good news since it will give medical schools applicants a second shot.
All registered candidates without seats can attend the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)’s further counseling. Admissions end November 15.
Candidates who did not join their seats after round three would not be eligible for the additional counseling.
States must hold the additional round once the all-India list is released. For state seats, students should contact state counseling agencies.
This is good news for medical students. Another round of counseling will give them a second chance at medical school.
