Second Round of PG Medical Admission in Maharashtra: Students yet to get clarity regarding available seats

Mumbai: Even though the second round of postgraduate medical admission will commence soon, the PG medical aspirants in Maharashtra are yet to get any clarity regarding the number of available seats.

The confusion regarding the availability of seats is due to the fact that there is still no update regarding around 400 seats that the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) cell had excluded due to lack of necessary permissions.

Besides, after the implementation of 20 percent In-service reservation, the students have no clarity regarding the excess seats belonging to these quota and if these seats will be included in the total seats for Round Two.

The second round of admissions for the All-India quota seats is scheduled to take place on October 19. Following this, the second state round will be announced.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the PG medical aspirants in Maharashtra were upset with the recent announcement by Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell of excluding around 400 seats from the counselling and they were demanding cancellation of the first round of NEET PG Counselling.

The CET cell of Maharashtra announced on October 4, 2022 about the exclusion of seats from first round. In this regard, the CET cell notice stated, "Seat distribution is subject to change as per instruction of NMC/ erstwhile MCI/ transfer of PG teacher/ affiliation from University (MUHS) etc". NEET PG-2022 seat matrix was declared on 30/09/2022."

Also Read: Several seats left out from NEET PG Counselling, Maharashtra students demand cancellation of First Round

"There are some seats, for which some of the necessary permissions are awaited and hence they are not included in the first round of allotment. These seats will be considered during subsequent round of allotment once all the necessary permissions are received," read the notice issued by the Commissioner and Competent Authority, Maharashtra CET cell.

Upset with this announcement, the PG aspirants and their parents started sending mass emails and letters to the authorities. They also questioned the explanation given by the Maharashtra CET Cell as they pointed out that most of those seats belonged to the Government Medical Colleges with prior approvals.

As per the latest media report by Indian Express, the students are yet to get any clarity regarding the number of available seats in the second round and there is still no update regarding the 400 seats that were excluded at the last minute by the CET cell.

Apart from this, the students are also unsure about the lapsed In-service quota seats since there is no clarity if these excess seats will be included in the total seats for Round Two. 

Speaking about this, a candidate told the daily, "Considering the 20 per cent reservation under this new quota, it comes to 240 seats. But as per the merit list declared by the Maharashtra CET cell, there are only 50 candidates applying under this category, which means 190 seats will remain vacant. The HC order only suggests that the state should consider adding these seats to the total seats for Round Two, but the CET cell has to provide clarity."

The Maha Government announced a 20 per cent quota for in-service doctors practising in the rural and tribal areas of the State. As per the Government Order, the in-service doctors serving the state for two years shall be able to avail the reservation benefits while taking admission to PG medical courses. Issuing a Government Resolution in this regard, the Maha Government clarified, "From the academic year 2022-23, government approval is being given to reserve 20% seats for in-service candidates for admissions to PG medical and diploma courses in government and civic-run medical colleges in the state."

Despite objections from the PG medical aspirants regarding the untimely implementation of In-service quota, the Bombay High Court gave its nod for the 20 per cent In-service reservation.

Apart from the 20 per cent In-service reservation, another 400 seats got excluded by the Maharashtra CET cell at the last minute. Referring to this, a parent representative told the daily, "It was declared by the CET cell that these seats will return to the total seats in the subsequent rounds after necessary permissions. There is no update yet on this. This is a considerable number of seats to remain out of the admission process, especially for Round Two."

Demanding clarity regarding the number of available seats before the second round of admission for the AIQ seats, a candidate mentioned, "It will help us gauge if we should confirm admission on allotted seats in the all-India quota or can hope for better seats through state quota."

Also Read: 20 percent inservice reservation gets HC nod in Maharashtra despite objection from PG medical aspirants