MCI sets terms for blocking medical seats

After receiving several complaints from aspirants regarding blocking of seats in medical colleges, the Medical Council of India has proposed a refundable security deposit of `2 lakh for medical seats in deemed-to-be-universities.

Students taking admissions in government medical colleges need to pay `10,000 as security deposit in the All India Quota, according to the Medical Council of India.

Experts said the move would help reduce vacancies created due to blocking of multiple seats by students. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has also proposed to start counselling for deemed medical colleges after the Central and state government seats are filled.

Dr B. Karunakar Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, told this newspaper that the government can prevent blocking of seats in deemedto-be universities to an extent by making the students pay the refundable security deposit of `2 lakh.

“If the students have to pay `2 lakh there are less chances of blocking of seats,” he said. He noted that each private medical college has its own registeration fees.

Dr P.S. Vijayender Goud, chairman, Telangana Junior Doctor Association, said many students were fighting court cases.

“In the recent Neet-PG counseling, many students left the colleges after blocking the seats due to which many deserving students did not get admission. Many students are fighting court cases over this,” Dr Goud said.

Dr G. Srinivas, advisor, Telangana Junior Doctor Association, said the security deposit should be only charged during the last counselling session, because students may try to explore other colleges.