The confusion over the Neet exam and results and the delay in medical counselling may leave many seats in the top engineering colleges vacant this year.
Three of the top 10 students who selected the College of Engineering, Guindy at engineering counselling on Sunday said they would prefer the MBBS course over engineering.
After waiting for nearly one month to get a clear picture on medical counselling, the higher education department has decided to conduct the engineering counselling before the MBBS admissions. As per the revised schedule, the general counselling began on Sunday.
Higher education secretary Sunil Paliwal handed over the admission letters to the top 10 students. The top ranked B. Sriram has chosen Computer Science and Engineering at CEG, Anna University. Of the top ten students, five chose computer science engineering, three chose electronics and communication engineering, electrical and electronics and civil engineering was chosen by each one student.
Online counselling from next year
T. Sathishvar, one of the top 10 students, has got 200 out of 200 cut off marks for both the engineering and medical admissions. He also scored 435 out of 720 in the Neet exam. He chose Electronics and Communication engineering at CEG. Whatever basis for the MBBS admission, he got a good chance of getting a seat in one of the government medical colleges. “I want to join the medical course. But I am not sure what rank I get for MBBS course. If I get the seat in government medical college, I will take it,” the student said.
“The confusion over Neet has put the students and parents into stress. It should have been made clear at the start of the academic year,” said P. Thirumurugan, father of Sathishvar.
Siddharth Haldurai, another student, who got 378 marks in Neet exam said his first preference would be the medical course. “I have been studying both the syllabus from December to score good marks in state bo-ard and Neet exam.” In-terestingly, he switched from CBSE to state board for plus 1 and plus 2 to join the medical college. He scored 1,194 out of 1,200 and got the 199.75 cutoff marks.
P. Kaviya has got 200 out 200 in engineering cut off and got 199.50 in medical cut off. She had scored 270 marks in Neet exam. She is also interested in joining in the MBBS course.
“This year we expect at least 500 students to go for MBBS after choosing engineering seats. If the medical admissions bas-ed on Neet, then engineering vacant seats would be reduced or if it is based on plus 2 marks it would increase manifold,” TNEA sources said.
When asked about the vacant seats, Mr Sunil Paliwal said, “We have got no choice as the students have to be admitted as early as possible. To solve the issue, the government has decided to go for online counselling for next year. It will enable us to give the vacant seat to the next eligible person.”The general counselling will go on until August 11. Director of Technical Education Rajendra Ratnoo, Anna University Registrar S. Ganesan, College of Engineering, Guindy dean and a member of convener committee T.V. Geetha, TNEA secretary J. Indhumathi also participated.
