Delay in admission: MBBS aspirants, parents left in lurch

PUDUCHERRY: MBBS aspirants and their parents are left in lurch in the Union territory as Puducherry government-constituted Centralized admission committee failed to conclude the admission into government, private and deemed universities before the deadline, September 30. The Centac held the second round of counselling from September 27 to 30. Ideally, the committee should have held the first, second, third and mop up counselling and concluded the admission process before September 30 as per the directions of the Union government.

The government officials maintained that the National Medical Commission would grant time until October 15 as many states in the country have not completed admission on time. Moreover, the Puducherry government, which has introduced 10% reservation for government school students (who have cleared National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) in MBBS/ BDS/ BAMS courses in government and self-financing colleges in Puducherry in the academic year 2023-24, could not complete the admission process on time. The government has written to the Union health and family welfare ministry and NMC requesting them to grant extension to complete MBBS admission in the Union territory.

Director G Sriramulu said the directorate has no role to play in the admission and the Centac is the government authorised body to monitor the admissions. "This delay and eleventh-hour admission will only lead to private institutions and deemed universities exploiting students and parents. They will admit students who are willing to pay the fees they demand only," said All- India parents' association president K R Mathew.