Even as dates for counselling of management quota seats for MBBS are yet to be announced, the Centralised Admission Committee (Centac) on Sunday conducted the first round of counselling for BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) in Puducherry.
On Sunday morning, candidates who were waiting for the MBBS management quota counselling were uncertain as to whether they should join the BDS course or wait till the dates are announced. Centac officials tried to clear the air by displaying instructions on the notice board and answering the candidates and parents.
As per the instructions, the candidates who have been allotted BDS seats and joined the course are also eligible to attend the counselling for MBBS seats in the second round and for management quota. However, those who have been allotted seats in BDS but failed to join the course within the prescribed time cannot attend the next round of counselling for MBBS.
“I was waiting for the counselling for MBBS to be completed before the BDS. We have several questions as to how to go ahead with the admissions. The Centac has provided clear instructions but we do not know if we should spend money for BDS and then wait for the MBBS counselling. The students would have benefited if the government had completed the medical counselling before they began the counselling for BDS seats,” said a candidate.
Centac Coordinator P.T. Rudra Goud on Sunday said that they have requested the government to announce the counselling dates for the management quota seats. “Based on the representations from parents and students associations, merit ranks up to 1,375 were called for BDS first round of counselling. However, allotment will be made subject to the availability of seats in the respective categories,” he said.