Medical Future At Stake: Private Medical Colleges Start Early Admissions Amid NEET Chaos

Selling Medical Seats for 2 to 5 lakh making Medical Aspirants Rush

NEET, an all india medical entrance examination, has faced disruption this year and has been a major reason of stress for aspirants. Numerous private medical schools in Tamil Nadu have already begun the admissions process for undergraduate medical programs, despite the fact that the Supreme Court is still handling cases pertaining to the UG NEET-24 and has not ruled out even a re-test. 

Student counselor Manickavel Arumugam stated that parents are asked to meet the authorities on the college campus and are instructed to leave their mobile phones and electronic gadgets outside.If the parents want to meet the authorities they have to submit their phones he added. These early admission process are practiced by few people discreetly but others have openly announced that seats can be booked by an advance payment of 2 and 3 lakh.

Candidates need to reserve their seats with an advance payment of Rs 3 lakh, after that students are encouraged to keep the college connected to the recognized university at the top priority in the counseling round. If the students get a chance to grab the seat an annual reduction in the fee of between Rs 3 to 5 lakh will be offered and the advance being adjusted in the first year’s fee. 

According to the admission manager, the management currently has around 600 medical seats in colleges connected to its universities, and more are probably going to be added this year. Parents are assured by management that they would surely get a seat and if not then they would receive their fund back if they can show officials that despite designating the university’s college as top option in counseling, seats are not allotted to student.

Students are submitting their documents to the admission officers as they are taking guarantee of their admissions by a payment of 3 to 5 lakh. Anand Kumar M, who met with authorities on his daughter's behalf, stated, that they asked them to block the seats and pay the fees in the first round itself, as cut-offs tend to increase in subsequent rounds for deemed universities.

The state's selection committee or the medical counseling committee of the Directorate General of Health Services make the appointments to medical colleges. Colleges are not allowed to take payments or donations in advance as such actions are unlawful. The National Medical Commision official stated that if parents and students complain with supported documents a prompt action will be taken against such acts. He also urged parents to keep patience and not engage in such activities of early admissions. 

The double edge sword of Tamil Nadu’s private institutions' early admission process in the midst of  NEET uncertainty is only playing with the future of students. On one hand, it gives students a safety net who are worried about getting into medical programs and on the other hand, juggles the issues of equity, financial strain and pressure to make quick decisions.

Editor’s note:

It is essential for all parties involved students, parents, colleges, and authorities—to remain knowledgeable and flexible as the NEET scenario continues to change. Navigating this difficult time and making sure that India's future medical professionals can follow their aspirations without excessive stress or disadvantage would require open communication and fair processes.

The intricate system of medical admissions in India is highlighted by the early seat booking by private colleges in Tamil Nadu amid the uncertainties surrounding NEET. Although it provides some quick fixes, it also calls for serious thought out in terms of equity and the wellbeing of the students. Skoobuzz advises students to keep  patience and have faith in the decision of the Supreme Court, hasty decisions will not be beneficial in the long term.