Karnataka: Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences to offer 150 additional medical seats by 2017-18

Karnataka: The Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) is likely to offer 150 additional MBBS seats from the next academic year. The news is expected to bring cheers to the medical aspirants in the state and from India. For 2016-17, the institute will admit 100 students for MBBS course, and 15 seats are reserved for the all-India quota. From next year onwards it will offer 150 MBBS seats.

However, the medical college is currently in the process of seeking MCI permission for the increased intake of MBBS students. The process is yet to be completed. HIMS was established in 2006 offering 100 MBBS seats.

Dr. B.C. Ravi Kumar, Director, HIMS, told The Hindu, "We have sent the proposal seeking an increase in the intake, considering the infrastructure facilities and staff HIMS now enjoys. A local inspection committee (LIC), appointed by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, has already visited the college and reviewed it to see if it is fit to accommodate 50 more seats."

Five more colleges were established in 2006 the state including districts of Belagavi, Raichur, Shivamogga, Mandya and Bidar. They offer 100 MBBS seats each.

The State government is also reported to have proposed in its latest budget for increasing the number of MBBS seats to 150 in all the 6 medical colleges.

Dr. Kumar in addition implied that that there is no shortage of funds to improve infrastructure and other facilities at these colleges. The state government has allocated additional funds for the colleges in the latest budget.

There is also a new GMC in in Madikeri, Chamarajanagar and Karwar which has an approval to admit 150 students for MBBS course.

Dr. Ravi Kumar said, "The government had sent a proposal for 150 seats in these new colleges and the MCI approved the same. In the case of the old colleges set up in 2006, the proposal was sent for 100 seats and now the efforts are being made to increase the capacity."