The first phase of postgraduate counselling for medical seats in government medical colleges ended on Thursday with 36 vacancies in MD / MS / diploma programmes and two seats in dentistry.
A total of 722 seats were allotted in the four days of counselling. About 1,450 candidates were called for counselling but at least 500 did not turn up. As many as 162 candidates have been wait-listed as of Thursday. The date for the next phase of counselling will be announced shortly, said selection secretary G. Selvarajan.
The last date for candidates to surrender seats is May 31.
Counselling for PG seats was delayed following several court cases. The Directorate of Medical Education had to seek permission from the Medical Council of India to extend the deadline. Counselling began on Monday afternoon amid protest by several associations representing doctors in government service.
Details awaited
Meanwhile, the selection committee is awaiting details of seats surrendered by the deemed and private universities. Thursday was the last date for candidates to submit applications for PG degree and diploma courses under the Non-Resident Indian quota in self-financing medical colleges and colleges under deemed universities in the State.
Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan said that this year the State government had created “a record of sorts” as there had been a 26% increase in overall seats.
“In the last five years, we got 131 seats. Similarly, with Pudukottai Medical College [being approved by the MCI], we would have added 960 MBBS seats in five years in government colleges,” he said.
