Very few medical seats in K'taka for CET & ComedK

According to reports, if 1.15 lakh candidates appeared for the Common Entrance Test, Karnataka's largest entrance exam to claim a seat to study medical and engineering. Post selection process, only 2,000 students manage to bag the coveted MBBS seat under the government quota. This implies, that about 1.5% candidates can claim seats in medical colleges through state CET.

Although Karnataka is having second largest number of medical colleges in the country, after Maharashtra, very few are state-run. Inspite of heavy demand, the government hasn't opened any new medical college in the past 4 years.

It has been assumed that with increasing number of CET aspirants and mounting of good performance from ISC students could send the cut-offs soaring this time. According to the reports S A Ramadass, medical education minister said, "Although we are not starting new government medical colleges, we will increase the intake of the existing medical colleges. The number of seats in some of the medical colleges will be doubled."

Similarly, Comed-K which has around 11 medical and 25 dental colleges, has recorded an increase in the number of aspirants. From around 24,000 candidates, the MBBS/BDS aspirants have risen close to 30,000 this year. The consortium has 1,415 medial seats and 1,580 dental seats to offer.

Also, the ComedK members feel that "If the engineering fees is going to be increased,there will be a hike for medical courses as well."

The medical education minister will look into the matter and ensure 25% of additional seats to be surrendered to the government.