MD, MS Admissions in Karnataka: KEA Eligibility Criteria opposed

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA ) Bengaluru, the official body for conducting counseling for allotment of seats for admission to Post Graduate degree courses in medical or dental courses in its official notification released this week has come out with 'eligibility norms' under the 'candidate of Karnataka Origin' criterion in its official bulletin. The eligibility norms stated have created a ripple among PG medical and dental aspirants, seeking admission in the state of Karnataka with another state domicile.

Following is the eligibility criteria mentioned in the notification that has created a sense of discomfort among students who have studied and passed their 1st and 2nd year Pre-University Examination or 11th and 12th standard examination within the state of Karnataka, as well as others, who have done their UG medical and dental degrees from the state alone.

The candidate should have studied and passed 1st and 2nd year Pre-University Examination or 11th and 12th standard examination within the state of Karnataka from an Educational Institution run or recognized by the State Government or MBBS /BDS from a professional educational institution located in Karnataka and that either of the parents must have studied/resided in Karnataka for a minimum period of 10 years. (Documents to be produced).

There are many a student in both the MBBS and dental streams that are likely to be affected by the above clause.

"Students who belong to other states and completed their BDS degree from Karnataka are at a loss now. Now, we cannot participate in the Karnataka NEET PG counseling under state quota," said an aspirant who has completed her BDS from the state.

She also spoke of her not being able to apply in their home states either.

"In our home state too we cannot apply under state quota as we did not complete our BDS degree from our home state. Seats which fall under the All India Category counseling in the state are less thus making it very difficult for us to secure a seat," she told NDTV.

"This is very unfair for students who had completed their BDS degree from Karnataka and belong to another state," she added.

For details of the KEA counselling, click on the following link:-

http://www.kea.kar.nic.in/pget2018/pget2018_notification.pdf