Medical admissions end, but 21 seats vacant across state

MUMBAI: Admissions to various government-run, private and deemed medical and dental institutes in the state started in June this year but almost four months later,

MUMBAI: Admissions to various government-run, private and deemed medical and dental institutes in the state started in June this year but almost four months later, seats still remain vacant in various institutes.

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According to information provided by the Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DMER), 21 seats remain vacant across institutes and with the Supreme Court (SC) decided deadline over, institutes have no choice but to leave the seats vacant.

“There are six seats vacant in MBBS courses across government-run institutes, and 15 in a private medical institute in Dhule. We tried our best to fill up all seats within the stipulated time frame, now we are also helpless,” said Dr Pravin Shingare, director of DMER. Friday was the last day to fill up vacant seats in medical and private institutes as per the latest SC order. “We received requests for admissions even on Saturday, and we also have seats vacant, but nothing can be done anymore,” added Shingare.

While the original deadline to complete admissions to MBBS and BDS courses was September 30 as per the SC’s April 2016 order, an extension till October 7 was given last week to fill up all vacant seats. However, many students who have scored well both in the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MH-CET) and the National Eligibilitycum-Entrance Test (NEET) have been left without a confirmed allotment.

“I’ve scored 174 in MH-CET and 355 in NEET, and still haven’t managed to get admission in MBBS or BDS courses across the state. I have to settle with physiotherapy now, which is unfair, because I have scored well,” said a student, who did not wish to be identified. Many students from across the state are now planning to take their plea back to the SC for another fighting chance at claiming the few vacant seats in institutes. “What’s the use of keeping seats vacant, when there are deserving students still waiting for admissions,” she added.

As of now, the DMER is waiting to hear from the central government or the SC to decide on the fate of all vacant seats.