BENGALURU: The Department of Medical Education is now trying for a single counselling for undergraduate medical courses too after it successfully convinced private medical college managements for a single counselling for postgraduate courses.
Highly placed sources from the department said that there were discussions regarding this in the meeting held on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by the state Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil where representatives from all the private medical college management associations were present.
“Even the managements seemed positive, but as it was a meeting called to discuss only post graduate issues we did not get deeper into under graduate issues,” said a source.
“When we have agreed for common counselling for PG seats, why not for UG? I don’t think common counselling for UG will be an issue,” said an official of a private college.
Meanwhile, the managements are firm with their decision of hiking the fee. “We are demanding for at least 30 per cent hike this year and if government agrees for that we will agree for common counselling,” said a management representative who is also a member of COMEDK.
Recently, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry decided to introduce common counselling for UG medical and dental courses at state level. As per the amendments made in the regulations of Medical Council of India, designated authorities at the state level can conduct common counselling where even deemed universities will be included.
This is to bring in more transparency in medical admission and curb the practice of capitation fee charged by private institutions.
It is further clarified that the counselling for All India Quota seats at under graduate and post graduate level will continue to be conducted by the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.