Tamil Nadu may lose 650 MBBS seats, Annamalai raises concern
Medical admissions in Tamil Nadu could become more competitive this year, with around 650 MBBS seats likely to move out of the state counselling process following the grant of deemed university status to three private medical colleges.
Former BJP state president K. Annamalai has expressed concern over the development, stating that the shift may reduce the number of seats available through the Tamil Nadu government quota and the 7.5% preferential reservation for government school students. He also warned that students admitted to these institutions may face significantly higher tuition fees if admissions are conducted independently by the deemed universities.
According to available information, the three institutions that have obtained deemed university status are St. Peter’s Medical College, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Medical Sciences, and Srinivasan Medical College. Together, they account for approximately 650 MBBS seats that were previously filled through the Tamil Nadu state selection process.
Health department sources have reportedly indicated that the number of seats outside the state counselling system could increase further if additional medical colleges receive deemed university recognition in the coming months.
Annamalai has also pointed out that Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University did not issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the three colleges. He further noted that legal proceedings related to one of the institutions are still pending. Under the University Grants Commission’s 2022 regulations for deemed universities, if the affiliated university does not raise objections within the prescribed period, the proposal may proceed without further opposition.
Calling for greater transparency, Annamalai urged the Tamil Nadu government to examine how the approvals were processed and to ensure that administrative lapses, if any, do not adversely affect students seeking affordable medical education.