Many students from two Telugu States, who are eagerly waiting for NEET counselling, are a worried lot as some colleges are missing from the MMC (Medical Counselling Committee) website, maintained by the National Information Center (NIC) and the Medical Counsel of India (MCI). Two medical colleges from Andhra Pradesh and six from Telangana are missing in the MCC counselling registration list. Medical aspirants fear that this would shrink their opportunities to get medical admissions in good medical colleges in the national pool. They are also alleging that less number of seats have been listed under the OBC quota.
According to official sources, around 4,000 MBBS seats are available in the all-India pool in 222 government medical colleges, including many prestigious institutions across the country. But for the present academic year, in the MMC web-counselling site www.mcc.nic.in, only 195 colleges are listed. Of 47 government dental colleges, only 38 are listed on the website. What makes things worse for the aspirants is around 800 MBBS seats in colleges across the country are not shown on the NEET web-counselling site.
About 283 MBBS seats are allocated to top rankers from the two states under the all-India national pool. Going by the last year (2017-18) admission trend, it may be assumed that up to 10,000- 12,000 rank (all-India) holders, could get medical seats in the first counselling. This year, around 600 Telugu students got better ranks and they can expect to get MBBS seats in prestigious medical colleges across the country. Most of them generally opt colleges in their own states. But due to non-inclusion of Osmania Medical College-Hyderabad, Kakatiya Medical College- Warangal, RIMS-Adilabad, Government Medical College-Nizamabad, Government Medical College-Mahaboobnagar and Government Medical College-Siddhipet and RIMS-Ongole (Prakasam) and Government Medical College-Ananthapur in the lists, Telugu students stand to lose admission in 180-190 seats of 283 seats.
"We suspect foul plan as MMC or MCI were not informed in advance about the non-listing of certain medical institutions including six from Telangana and two from AP. Is there any big conspiracy behind this? Is it a technical problem mistake on the part of NIC authorities? Who is responsible for this serious error?" K Yesu Prabhu, father of medical aspirant from Gajuwaka said.
"At first we were dumbstruck not finding prestigious colleges from Telangana and AP. But after checking www.mmc.nic.in several times our fears were confirmed that eight colleges from two States were not included in the web-counselling list for selecting options. Though we made several appeals to NEET authorities to the e-mail ID given on the website, seeking clarification, we got no response," B Siri, who has secured 1200 rank in NEET said.
"We have heard that NEET officials are going to include the 'missing' colleges in the next (Second) phase of admission counselling but it is not at all confirmed by any official. We want a clear clarification regarding these issues," A Manmadha Rao, father of a medical aspirant from Vizianagaram said.