An unprecedented 1,37,435 applications have been received for the All India Entrance Exam for admission to 150 seats in the MBBS course at the Jawaharlal Institute of Post graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) this year, which will be held on June 7.
The All India Entrance Exam for admission to Post Graduate (MD and MS) courses will be conducted on May 31.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Subhash Chandra Parija, Director, JIPMER, said this is the first time that received applications have crossed the 1 lakh mark.
Boom in sales
“We are seeing a tremendous boom in number of applications for MBBS seats. This is not just in JIPMER. Our colleagues in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, and other institutes have reported the same,” said Dr. Parija.
Last year, over 93,000 candidates had taken the MBBS entrance exam in 360 centres in 36 cities, while this year, the MBBS entrance exam will be held in 581centres in 75 cities across India. Around 2,559 applications have been received from Puducherry.
On being asked about plans to increase intake in view of the large number of applicants, Dr. Parija said that JIPMER has many priorities apart from its MBBS course, like increasing focus on kidney and bone marrow transplants.
He added that infrastructure and manpower would also be crucial factors in increasing intake. Dr. Mahadevan Subramanian, Dean Academic, JIPMER said that the institute wanted to increase focus on offering specialisation courses.
Seat increase in PG courses
A total of 18,527 applications were received for the PG courses. From this year, there will be twice-a-year intakes (January and July) for PG courses, and the seats have been increased from 165 to 200. The PG entrance exam will be held in 86 centres in 30 cities. A new course, MD in Emergency Medicine, with 5 seats was introduced last year.
Low chance of fraudulent practices
Like last year, the 2 and half hour exam will be a computer-based or online test (single shift).
The online mode of exam helps in avoiding errors, said Dr. Subramanian. This year the English component of the exam has been split as logic and quantitative reasoning (10 questions) and English and comprehension (10 questions).
He added that collection of biometric data and taking of photographs have ensured that chances of fraudulent practices and impersonation are low.
“Mobile phone jammers will be installed at the exam venues. Apart from biometric data, we also take thumbprints of candidates.
We also have handwriting experts who examine the address entry written by candidates,” said Dr. Subramanian.
One case from 2006 and another from 2010 of fraudulent practices are currently in court, he added.
Results on June 15
Results for the MBBS course is expected to be declared on June 15, and counselling for the same will commence from June 22.
Results for the post graduate courses are expected to be declared on June 5, and counselling will commence from June 17.
Classes for all the courses will begin on July 1.
