Fresh Start: Maha DMER restarts PG medical admission, from choice-filling stage

Mumbai: A decision to scrap the entire post-graduate admission process across Maharashtra and start afresh, right from the choice-filling stage has been taken by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research.

Students admitted to government colleges met DMER authorities on Wednesday to demand that the existing seat allotment should not be disturbed and that fresh admissions should be conducted only in private colleges for surrendered all India quotas and vacant government seat slots.

The suggestion fell on deaf ears as the DMER was of the opinion that the admission process would not be fair and meritorious students would stand to lose.

The other reason for DMER taking this decision was the alteration of fee ratio in private colleges, which would result in these institutes becoming inaccessible for several candidates.

Those with government seat allocations run the risk of losing them with this DMER decision, as the ones who opted for private institutions would now not be able to afford the fee structure and therefore, opt for government institutions.

The fee matter has also taken a new twist with some private institutes informing DMER that they would charge lower fees for non-clinical courses and not follow the 1:4:5 ratio (merit:management: NRI).

“Some colleges want to charge only twice the merit quota fee from management students for their non-clinical courses,” said Dr Pravin Shingare, Head, DMER to the TOI. “Under all such circumstances, it is only fair that students be allowed to rethink their choices and fill options again.”

Meanwhile, students have threatened to move court as restarting admissions they say intervenes with a ruling that state governments must release the first allotment list before the second list of the all-India quota.

A revised first list of candidates was announced on Thursday. DMER also published the Revised Fee Structure for Post Graduate admissions in Private Medical Colleges

This does not affect the admission of those who already paid their fees and had confirmed their admissions in the first round, sources at the state Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell said.

Indian Express reports that the candidates have to confirm their admission by paying their fees or the deposit amount between April 27 and 29, which includes Saturday and Sunday.

“We are aware that both the days are bank holidays and that candidates may not be able to make payments. So, we have allowed cheque payments this time. All participating colleges have been directed to keep their admission counters open on Saturday, Sunday and on a national holiday, for facilitating students’ admission,” Manik Gursal, Commissioner, CET Cell, told IE