MP: 36 out of 87 seats go vacant after 1st Counselling at MGM Medical College

Indore: The disarray in the admission process has led to a depressing scene in state admissions to both government medical colleges and private institutions, as both haven’t been able to fill their seats, despite the first round of counselling being over. More than 40% of the total number of seats lying vacant in MBBS courses, belong to the six government colleges of the state. Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College heading this list, with 36 vacant seats of the available 87 in Government colleges belonging to it.

The above statistics came to light at a Supreme Court hearing on Monday, when the number of vacant seats were put forth to the apex body. According to anxious professors, such a situation has been witnessed for the first time and they are all trying to figure out the cause for it.

"It is for the first time that so many seats are lying vacant after first counselling.MGM is one of the most sought after colleges in state and its seats get filled fast. We are unable to understand the reason behind it," said a senior professor.

However , Director, Medical Education Department (DME), Dr G S Patel, stated that a series of issues had marred the process of admission, though he expressed hope in the seats getting filled in the 2^nd round of counselling, that is to start after the Supreme Court’s extension order. The college has to fill a total of 120 seats through centralized counselling.

The private medical college’s seat situation seems to be equally depressing. More than 730 MBBS seats are vacant in them including 363 seats of the unreserved category.

The BDS courses in the region are also finding it difficult to find aspirants; for out of the total 944 vacant seats in them, 443 lie vacant in the unreserved category. These are to be put up for the second round of counselling, starting Tuesday.

"We will simultaneously begin with third round of counselling to fill seats in government colleges and second round for filling seats in private medical and dental colleges," said DME Head, Dr Patel. The supreme court has on its account made it evidently clear that admission status prior September 30 is not to be disturbed. According to the judicial body, seats remaining vacant after September 30, are to be filled by allowing non domicile students into the unreserved category, for counselling for both MBBS and BDA courses.