The counselling for admissions to biology-based degree courses including MBBS and BDS began on Friday.
The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC), had made elaborate arrangements for the event. It had invited over 200 candidates for the first day.
Counselling for seats under ex-servicemen, freedom fighters and sportspersons categories was held in the morning followed by general counselling in the afternoon.
Education Secretary and Chairman of the CENTAC G. Ragesh Chandra and CENTAC convener Dr. Govindarajulu were present during the counselling.
Allotment order
After candidates exercised their option, allotment orders were handed over.
Mr. Chandra told The Hindu , "All steps have been taken to ensure error free admission. We published the rank list along with photographs of candidates. The first phase of counselling will go on till Wednesday."
Topper opts for Jipmer
Sneha Prakash, of Mahe enclave who emerged as the topper in the rank list by scoring 200 did not turn up. She had opted to join Jipmer. Gopika. K and Aiswaraya M. Prasad who bagged the second and third ranks respectively with 199.666 and 199.333 marks preferred to enrol at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute.
Ms. Gopika said, "I am happy that all three toppers from the same school in Mahe joined MBBS."
The CENTAC officials advised the candidates, who were allotted seats, to join the respective colleges on or before June 30.
Meanwhile, activists and student welfare associations alleged that the process had been marked by utter confusion compared to previous years.
V. Balasubramanian, president of Pondicherry Student and Parents’ Welfare Association, said there was not much confusion at the counselling this year.
