TN expects nod for 100 more medical seats

CHENNAI: In a state where the common medical examination, NEET, has always sparked acrimonious debates about TN candidates being left worse-off because of the test, it has now emerged that one in seven doctors who cleared postgraduate NEET in 2019 was from the state. Although qualifying in the exam may not guarantee seats, educationists say the high numbers give TN candidates more opportunity to get placed in premium colleges outside the state and increases the possibility of more state candidates getting seats in TN government colleges .The National Board of Examination summary shows that of the 79,633 who qualified, 11,121 were from TN, which also had the most candidates (17,067) appearing, against 9,219 from Karnataka, 7,441 from Maharashtra and 6,323 from Andhra Pradesh . “All were selected to join medical schools by the state based on Class XII exams. The results are proof TN wasn’t producing bad doctors and all students were meritorious,” said neurosurgeon Dr Bruno Mascarenhas, who has authored entrance books for PG exams.The common entrance is now a boon to many TN doctors. Every year, states surrender 50% of PG seats for all-India quota. “Some years ago, when there was a separate exam for all-India quota, less than 50% of students took the test. Now, with every doctor writing the common NEET, we have higher chances of doctors from TN opting for colleges in AP, Karnataka, Mumbai and Delhi,” said Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association chief Dr K Senthil. “More in-service candidates are clearing the exam now. Even if they don’t get a seat this time, they will confidently appear for the exam next year.”This year, the cut-off was 340/1,200 for the general category, 295 for SC/ST/OBC (including disabled), and 317 for general disabled. “By sheer probability we have chances of having more number of students who will take all India quota seats this time. We are hoping more TN students to take these seats within the state too,” said director of medical education Dr A Edwin Joe.TN has got the nod to add 56 PG seats in eight colleges taking the total in 2019 to 1,306. The directorate of medical education expects at least 100 more seats and has sought Union health ministry permission to convert 393 diploma seats to degree seats. If this happens, TN will have 1,800 PG seats. Scores in NEET-PG 2019, held in January in 167 cities on a computer-based platform, will be used for admission to all PG courses of all-India quota seats, central institutions, armed forces medical services institutions, universities set up by an Act of Parliament, deemed universities, state quota seats and private colleges. Institutions such as AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology are excluded.