New Delhi: With the NEET counselling for medical seats across the country set to begin on June 19, prospective doctors have reasons to cheer.
1. There will be additional 4,500 seats up for grabs. The total number of MBBS seats for which counselling will be held, therefore, will go up to 74,215. Last year, counselling was held for 69,712 seats.
2. With the increased intake, the MBBS seats available in the government colleges will be 36,222.
3. As per reports, the increased intake has been made possible with a number of district hospitals upgraded into medical colleges.
4. Besides, passage of legislation reserving 10 per cent of the seats for economically-weaker section has also raised the seat strength. This quota has been created over and above the existing strength.
5. The rise in the number of doctors consequently will give the much-needed boost to healthcare services in India. While the World Health Organisation prescribes one doctor for 1,000 population, the ratio in India stands at one doctor per 1,596 population.
6. At present, there are 10.41 lakh allopathic doctors registered with the state medical councils.
7. Like previous years, counselling for 15 per cent of all India quota seats will be administered by Medical Counselling Committee of the Directorate General of Health Services.
8. The first round of counselling will begin from June 19 and the second round from July 6.
9. SCB Medical College in Cuttack, one of the sought after institutes for prospective doctors, has reserved 28 seats (general) under the all India quota of the total strength of 238 seats.
10. The MKCG Medical College in Berhampur has 27 (general) of 235 under the all India quota and VIMSAR in Burla has 18 (general) of 240 seats under all India quota.
