Medical seat matrix delay: Karnataka Examinations Authority plans counselling for other courses

The delay in receiving the seat matrix for undergraduate medical courses from the government has forced the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) to go ahead with seat allotment for other courses where the final seat matrix has been received.

Sources in the KEA told DH that the authorities have decided to wait for another week for the medical seat matrix.

“If we don’t receive the medical seat matrix by next week, we will begin the seat allotment process for other courses to avoid delays in the counselling schedule,” said an official from KEA.

According to the timeline, the Medical Education Department was expected to submit the seat matrix by May 27, but there has been no update so far.

“Instead of waiting further, we will begin the process and conduct the mock allotment. If the medical seat matrix is received during the process, we can incorporate it midway,” said H Prasanna, Executive Director of KEA.

The officials from the Medical Education Department, however, said they are still awaiting clearances.

“The National Medical Commission (NMC) does not issue approvals for all institutions at once. Approvals are coming in phases, and we need to wait until all institutions are cleared before finalising the seat matrix,” said a senior department official.

Meanwhile, KEA is considering a separate seat allotment process for students who have clarity about their preferred course.

“At least 30% of students are certain about the course they want to pursue and usually report to their colleges immediately after Round 1. In such cases, why make them wait until the entire process concludes?” said another KEA official.

Typically, KEA conducts a combined seat allotment process for all courses. However, this year, even the seat matrix for a few engineering colleges is pending.

Sources in the Higher Education Department confirmed that Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar cleared the relevant file on Tuesday.

“Except for BMS College of Engineering, New Horizon College of Engineering, and Akash Institute of Engineering and Technology, the minister has approved the seat matrix for the remaining colleges. Since the names of these three institutions have been linked to a seat-blocking case under ED investigation, the minister has sent their file for legal opinion,” said a source from the minister’s office.