Students fret over 2nd option if MBBS seats elude them

NEET result in Aug while BE, BArch, Pharma admissions end by July

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the only gateway to MBBS and BDS admissions across India but students remain confused about the implications of the new exam.

Their biggest concern is the second option in case they don’t get MBBS or BDS admission through the NEET. Students who fail to get MBBS or BDS seats usually opt for engineering, architecture and pharmacy courses. They also end up paying the fees while waiting for a medical seat. The counselling for these courses usually ends by July.

Since the NEET results will be declared only in August, students fear the counselling schedule will mean they lose a lot of money and don’t even get a seat.

Vaishnavi, a student who took NEET-1, said: “I am not sure if I will get a medical seat. I want to have a second option. Securing engineering or a pharmacy seat will cost over 1 lakh and that’s not a small amount.”

Yet to decide

An official in the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) said the government was yet to decide the fate of such students.

The difficulty level of the NEET is another concern. Srinivas G V, a physics lecturer at the Government PU College, Gauribidanur, said, “Students need to adapt to a new syllabus and questions in just two months.”

“There is also the concern how a student from Karnataka will get admission in a state college once the all-India rank list is prepared,” he said.

A medical education official had earlier hinted that the state rank list would be drawn from the all India list, as is done in postgraduate medical admissions. There is, however, no official confirmation of such a process.

Several students who took NEET-I still don’t know that they can appear for NEET-II if they give up the score of the first test — as stipulated by the Supreme Court.
 To clear students’ confusion, a consultative meeting of government officials was held here on Friday and it discussed the role of private colleges, fee structure, state merit list and counselling schedule. But no final decisions were taken as some officials were not present. Another round of consultation will be held on Monday.

Many issues pending

“There are many issues in the Supreme Court ruling on the NEET that have not been touched upon. We are discussing their interpretation and seeking more information to take a final decision. More such meetings will be held. The matter is certainly urgent and we will ensure that students’ interests are protected,” said Dr S S Harsoor, director, Medical Education.