Penalty on MD, MS Candidates who do not take on PG seat after 2nd counselling: Centre

New Delhi: A fine as a penalty clause has been introduced by the Centre for medical students who block a post-graduate (PG) seat and not do not join after the second round of counselling. The clause will be applicable to both government colleges and deemed universities said, officials.

"Last year, 1,400 PG seats remained vacant as students blocked seats and later opted out. This is unacceptable for there is a dearth of PG seats in the country and creating every additional seat costs a lot of money," an official stated.

According to him students appearing for counselling will now have to submit a registration fee of Rs 25,000 for PG seats in government colleges and Rs 2 lakh for seats in deemed universities. While those from reserved categories will have to pay half the sum. This he said was in accordance with the amendments made to the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, of the Medical Council of India.

"If someone opts out in the first round of counselling after being offered a seat, the registration money will be returned. But if he opts out in the second round after accepting a seat, the registration money shall be forfeited," the official clarified to the TOI. There are around 38,000 post-graduate seats in medical colleges all across India.