Hyderabad: After a long fight by aspirants for super-speciality post-graduate medical courses to fill up over 500 vacant seats, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the ministry of health to conduct a third round of counselling. The court said aspirants who do not join the courses after exercising options would face a penalty.
During the first round of counselling, a total of 1,969 seats were shown on the website though 1,141 seats were available, a petitioner claimed. Many students who secured seats in the first round did not take their seats.
Petitioner Dr Senthilnathan, assistant professor in general surgery from Madras Medical College, said, “The judge agreed for the merit based counselling till October 24. Defaulters face a penalty of being debarred for two years from both the Diplomate of National Board (DNB) and Neet super-speciality exam if they do not join colleges after getting seats.” Dr G. Srinivas, a Neet-SS aspirant said, ‘’I missed a seat in the second round, as there were only four super-speciality seats at Nims. Four students opted for the seats but no one joined. Now students like us will have another opportunity’’.
