2nd round MBBS/BDS counselling seat allotments cannot be changed: DGHS, TN

Chennai: The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) that had issued a statement the day before stating that students allotted seats in the 2^nd round of NEET based counselling for MBBS/BDS admission cannot attend any other counselling, issued a clarification stating that it was referring to students' joining a college.'

Dr B Srinivas, Additional Director General (Medical Education) that seats were allotted by the DGHS to students based on their choices.

"It is a two-step process. If the students join the college within a week of allotment, it will be considered as admission. If the students don't, they are still eligible to participate in other counselling. The seats will be returned to the respective states or deemed universities."

The Supreme Court on May 9, in the Dar-Us-Slam Educational Trust Case, said, "After the second round of counselling for all-India quota seats, students who take admission in all-India quota seats should not be allowed or permitted to vacate the seats."

Deemed universities admissions shall not be eligible to participate in any other counselling, it further added.

However, the DGHS counselling scheme flow chart (published online) for deemed universities says: "Candidates joined in the 2nd round of counselling will not be allowed to resign/leave the seat and they will not be allowed in any other counselling."

All-India quota seat admissions have no option to opt out of the allotment. According to an FAQ, "Once you join second round seats from the 15% all-India quota, you will not be allowed to resign from allotted 2nd round seat."

Clarifying it further to the TOI reporter who contacted Dr Srinivas at the behest of calls from anxious parents and students, the additional Director General said, "Different words used on the admission website has caused the confusion."