Are medicos pursuing MBBS outside TN eligible for PG medical admission in State:? Aspirants ask State to clarify

Chennai: Worried about the consequences of their MBBS admissions outside of Tamil Nadu, the medical aspirants in the State are waiting for a clarification from the authorities seeking to know that if they would remain eligible for Postgraduate medical admission in the State after pursuing their MBBS elsewhere.

Unsure regarding the rules, the counsellors and the teachers in the State have demanded an answer in this regard from the State Selection Committee.

The reason for their uncertainty is the Prospectus for the PG medical admissions issued by the State Government last year. The Selection Committee, operative under the Directorate of Medical Education, conducts counselling for the 50% State-quota seats.

Medical Dialogues had last year reported about the Prospectus issued by the Telangana State Government for admission to Postgraduate Degree/Diploma courses in the State. The Eligibility Criteria, as mentioned in the prospectus clearly stated, "Candidates should be Citizens of India and should have undergone MBBS course including the entire Compulsory Residential Rotatory Internship (CRRI) period in the State of Tamil Nadu."

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Concerned over what it means for the MBBS aspirants who would pursue their MBBS outside, the father of a NEET 2022 aspirant told the Times of India, "This is the first eligibility criteria listed by the state. This means if I choose to study MBBS at AIIMS or JIPMER, I will not be qualified to appear for counselling for state quota seats. Tamil Nadu has one of the largest number of PG seats in the country. My son will miss this despite being a native."

However, there is still no clarity regarding the matter because the Prospectus also stated, "However the candidates should possess the Permanent Medical Council Registration Certificate of the States or of India or the provisional Registration Certificate of the Medical Council at the time of the Admission."

"Candidates should possess M.B.B.S. Degree awarded by the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University or any other Universities recognized by the National Medical Commission / erstwhile Medical Council of India and the candidates who have qualified from other Universities should produce ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATE from the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Guindy, Chennai- 600 032 at the time admission," further stated the prospectus.

Referring to this, another parent told the daily, "This means they don't ban applications of students from other states. The first sentence could be an oversight."

Counsellors and teachers are also worried over the uncertainty and speaking to the daily in this regard, a student counsellor pointed out the chances of meritorious students losing an opportunity for using the AIQ seats and said, "It is important for the state to clarify this so the student can make smart choices."

Meanwhile, while commenting on the matter, State Selection Committee officials clarified to TOI that students from TN would still be eligible for applying in the State PG medical seats even if they pursued their MBBS outside Tamil Nadu. A senior official told the daily, "Admissions were not denied even in 2021. However, we will ensure the new prospectus is clear next year."

Also Read: Apply now for PG Medical Admissions 2021 in Tamil Nadu: View schedule, eligibility criteria, cut off, application details here