Bengaluru: The admission process for MBBS and BDS courses in Karnataka is expected to extend beyond the November 20 deadline set by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), as the Karnataka High Court is scheduled to hear a crucial petition on November 18. The ongoing legal proceedings have delayed the completion of the third round of counselling, leaving nearly 1,000 seats yet to be allotted.

Court Hearing Delays Counselling Process

According to the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), the High Court is likely to issue directions to extend the admission deadline.
Under the MCC’s original schedule:

  • Stray vacancy round for the All-India Quota was completed on November 12.
  • State counselling was to run from November 11 to 14.
  • Joining deadline was set for November 20.

However, the High Court adjourned proceedings to November 18, causing uncertainty in the counselling timeline.

KEA Executive Director H. Prasanna stated,

“We have already informed the court about the timelines. The court is expected to direct MCC to extend the last date of admission.”

Addition of New Seats Triggered Confusion

The dispute arose after the National Medical Commission (NMC) unexpectedly added around 450 new MBBS seats after the completion of the second round of counselling. Prior to this, approximately 561 seats were left vacant from earlier rounds.

A group of students approached the High Court, expressing concerns over the introduction of new seats at this advanced stage. They argued that allowing candidates from rounds 1 and 2 to upgrade to these newly added seats could lead to a reshuffling of previously allotted seats.

Such cascading vacancies may result in:

  • Already admitted students shifting to newly sanctioned seats
  • Their previous seats becoming vacant
  • Lower-ranked candidates from NEET securing seats that were not originally available to them

Students Demand Total Upgradation

The petitioners have demanded a complete upgradation, insisting on a fair and transparent redistribution of seats. In response, KEA has temporarily withheld the third-round counselling results until the court’s direction.

Parents Express Concern Over Delay

Parents have raised concerns about the academic calendar being disrupted.
A worried parent highlighted:

“Classes started on September 22 for students who have already joined. We are losing valuable time. Some private universities have already begun admissions for next year, while we are still completing this year’s process.”