Good NEET show pushes up cut-offs Many Might Miss Out On Dream Seat As Cut-Offs Jump By At Least 80, Some Play Smart And Wait As NEET 2021 Just 6 Months Away

Good NEET show pushes up cut-offs

Many Might Miss Out On Dream Seat As Cut-Offs Jump By At Least 80, Some Play Smart And Wait As NEET 2021 Just 6 Months Away

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

17.11.2020

High scores, fewer seats and new government policies may crush hopes of several medical aspirants this academic year as cut-offs for MBBS is likely to go up by at least 80 marks in most categories during the state counselling.

This year, the state is likely to offer 4,179 seats – 3,032 in government colleges – under the state quota when it opens the seat matrix on Wednesday. While 227 of the 3,032 seats will be taken for government school students, the state will be able to add just 50 more seats this year after the government college in Kanyakumari got the National Medical Commission nod for 50 additional seats.

In 2020, there are 5,119 students with scores above 500 compared to 1,359 students in 2019.

Experts say when the 69% rule of reservation is applied to the state quota seats after reserving seats for special category – quotas for people with disability, sportsmen, children of ex-servicemen and government school students – any students, including those in the scheduled groups, who score below 350 marks may not get a seat in state-run colleges. In 2019, the cut-off for SC, SCA and ST were 360, 301 and 267 respectively. This year, the cut-off for government school students is likely to be around 180 marks.

“We are top heavy this time,” said student counsellor Manickam Arumugam, who has been closely following medical admissions for several years now. This year, there were 968 students with scores above 600 compared to 139 students last year. The open category cut-off in government colleges may be around 600 in government colleges this year compared to 520 last year.

The biggest gap is likely to be among MBC candidates with a difference in cut-off of at least 90 marks. The cut-off for MBC students could be 526 in 2020. While the cut-off for BC is expected to be above 560, for BCM it is likely to touch 528.

Like last year, the seats for general category are likely to be over in the first two days. The schedule may not even call for BC category because by then all BC seats may be exhausted. “It is not a surprise to many students,” said Sundar R, a NEET tutor and counsellor. “This year, many students did not apply because they know the 2021 exams are just six months away. Also, the state has promised 1,600 more additional seats from 11 new medical colleges. Some students with scores as low as 183 have already opted for seats in deemed universities,” he said.

More candidates have scored better in NEET 2020, and will fight each other for the 5,750 MBBS seats TN has to offer

INTAKE BEGINS: Health minister C Vijayabaskar released rank list on Monday

SOME PROFILES

R SRIJAN, 710/720 | Srijan, who topped NEET this year, was offered a seat at any college of choice, including AIIMS Delhi. He chose Jipmer. “New Delhi was too far off and I wanted a central institute. People said Jipmer lecturers are very good,” he said. A native of Vellakoil, he took private coaching and this was his 2nd attempt. He plans to be a cardiologist.

R MOHANAPRABHA, 705/720 | She was second on the TN medical ranklist. She underwent NEET training in Namakkal and was ranked 52nd nationally. She said she wants to become a neurologist and cited the state having relatively fewer neurologists as one of the reasons for it.

N JEEVITHKUMAR, 664/720 | Topper among government school students, he studied in Tamil medium in Theni and secured 1823rd rank nationally. His father K Narayanamoorthi rears goats & mother Parameswari is a daily wager. He was coached in Namakkal, this was his second attempt.

This year, many students did not apply because they know the 2021 exams are just six months away. Also, the state has promised 1,600 more additional seats from 11 new medical colleges. Some students with scores as low as 183 have already opted for seats in deemed universities Sundar R | A NEET TUTOR AND COUNSELLOR