NEWS TODAY 6.9.24

 

Doctors oppose appointment of juniors as HoDs in Tiruvannamalai medical college

Doctors oppose appointment of juniors as HoDs in Tiruvannamalai medical college

The association also sought the intervention of the health minister, health secretary and the director of medical education in the issue.

Express News Service

Updated on:

05 Sep 2024, 12:26 pm

CHENNAI: Government doctors opposed the decision of the Tiruvannamalai Medical College dean to appoint four professors, who are juniors to them in service, as the heads of departments (HoD).

They said it was against the rule and requested immediate cancellation of the appointment. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Democratic Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (Democratic TNGDA) said the order created unwanted restlessness among senior professors.

The association also sought the intervention of the health minister, health secretary and the director of medical education in the issue. Dr K Senthil, a member of the PG Board of the National Medical Commission (NMC) who is also the President of the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) said the order is against the rules of NMC and should be cancelled. Only the senior doctors should be appointed as heads of departments, he added.

K’taka panel to study report on ₹7kcr Covid spend scam To Probe Missing Files When BJP Helmed Govt

K’taka panel to study report on ₹7kcr Covid spend scam To Probe Missing Files When BJP Helmed Govt 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 

Bengaluru : The Karnataka cabinet Thursday decided to refer a report on the alleged irregularities in the management of ₹7,000-crore Covid-19 funds to a committee headed by the chief secretary to analyse and suggest follow-up action to be taken on the findings of the report. Law and parliamentary affairs minister H K Patil said the report, submitted by retired judge John Michael Cunha, has made serious observations that “hundreds of crores” were misappropriated in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, besides speaking specifically about the missing files. 

The BS Yeddyurappa-led BJP was in office at the time of the pandemic. The Cunha commission submitted its first report to chief minister Siddaramaiah last week, covering the expenditure of over ₹7,000 crore. The govt has extended the term of the commission by six months to facilitate submission of the final report. “After a thorough discus sion, the cabinet decided to ask a committee of officials led by chief secretary Shalini Rajaneesh and additional chief secretary L K Atheeq to review the inquiry report and submit its opinion within a month,” Patil said. The submission of the first report has led to a political slugfest with BJP leaders, including state president B Y Vijayendra and Chikkaballapur MP K Sudhakar, who was the health minister then, terming the move a political revenge by state govt, which is under pressure over the alleged Muda irregularities. While much of the report content is not known, Patil said the cabinet was briefed by Siddaramaiah that the report “highlighted that hundreds of crores were misappropriated”. 

The CM also told the cabinet that Justice Cunha was not given files he sought despite repeated requests. “The officials’ committee has been asked to find out the officers who did not give files to the commission of inquiry,” Patil said. Asked to give more details about the findings of the inquiry commission, Patil said he knew only what was briefed by the CM to the cabinet. To a question on why police have not been asked to review the report given by Cunha, Patil said all reports need not be given to police. “It is the decision of the govt,” he added.

NMC withdraws updated syllabus rules on ‘sodomy & lesbianism’

NMC withdraws updated syllabus rules on ‘sodomy & lesbianism’ 

New Delhi : National Medical Commission has withdrawn the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) Guidelines, 2024, the updated curriculum for medical graduates published last week. The action follows an uproar over the reintroduction of ‘sodomy and lesbianism’ as unnatural sexual offences in the forensic medicine and toxicology curriculum for undergraduate medical students. The CBME guidelines, 2024, also brought back topics such as the hymen and its type, and its medico-legal importance besides defining virginity and defloration, legitimacy and its medicolegal importance. Some of these subjects were done away with in 2022 in accordance with a Madras high court directive. 

NMC on Thursday notified that the circular issuing guidelines under CBME 2024 stands “withdrawn and cancelled” with immediate effect. “The above guidelines will be revised and uploaded in due course,” it said. CBME was introduced in 2019. After five years, NMC amended it to include latest updates. However, many academics pointed out that some of the changes were not only controversial but regressive and that it required a rethink

HC: OCI cardholders can’t avail Hyd-K’taka reservation benefits

HC: OCI cardholders can’t avail Hyd-K’taka reservation benefits

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru : Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders are not be eligible for HyderabadKarnataka reservation benefits provided under Article 371J of the Constitution, the Karnataka high court ruled. A division bench consisting of Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by Meghana Kuruvalli, an 18-year-old student residing in Bengaluru. Meghana, a UK citizen, sought a direction to the authorities to consider her case for admission to the MBBS and BDS courses for academic year 2024-25 in Karnataka, under the Hyderabad-Karnataka region quota, also known as the Kalyana-Karnataka quota. She claimed eligibility based on her birth in Secunderabad, and having studied for the last six years in Ballari, which falls under the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

 However, she was instructed to register as a foreign national/OCI, which she argued is contrary to the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Anushka Rengunthwar case. The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), though, submitted that according to the Karnataka Selection of Candidates for Admission to Govt Seats in Professional Educational Institutions Rules-2006, OCI cardholders are treated as foreign nationals and only eligible for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) seats in private medical, dental colleges.

GOOD, BUT NOT THE GREAT-EST!

CINEMA OF THE WEEK 

GOOD, BUT NOT THE GREAT-EST! 

The Greatest Of All Time (Action/Thriller) ★★★ Cast: Vijay, Prashanth, Prabhudeva, Mohan, Sneha, Laila, Jayaram, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Vaibhav Direction: Venkat Prabhu Duration: 3 hour 3 minutes Language: Tamil (U/A) 

M S Gandhi (Vijay) a former Special Anti-Terrorist Squad (SATS) officer, embarks on a mission that squares back to his blood, threatening his family life. In the 2007 film ‘Azhagiya Tamil Magan’, Vijay was pitted against his look-alike. Seventeen years later, it’s the same, but now it’s Thalapathy vs Ilaya Thalapathy. A new version for his fans. 

M S Gandhi (Vijay), a highly skilled agent of the Special AntiTerrorist Squad (SATS) is the typical ‘family man’, who hides his occupation from his wife (Sneha). The couple, parents to a boy (Jeevan), are expecting their second child. Gandhi’s SATS team consists of Sunil Thiagarajan (Prashanth), Kalyan Sundaram (Prabhudeva), Ajay (Ajmal Ameer) and their boss Nazeer (Jayaram). On a workcation to Thailand, an unpleasant incident changes his life. Seventeen years on, Gandhi is now an immigration officer, taking care of his daughter who lives with his estranged wife. On a work trip to Russia, he accidentally meets his longlost son Jeevan (a de-aged Vijay). And thus begins a cat-and-mouse game. 

With action and emotional sequences, the first half sets the stage for an interesting interval block, which supposedly packs a punch. The second half has plenty of twists, but the climax— a fanpleaser set during the CSK live match — is a bit of a drag. The story line follows a familiar template, and the narrative, unfortunately, is very easy to foresee. The overall length is a concern, too. The action sequences are just about average, though the face-offs between young and old Vijay are engaging. With a conventional story, the director capitalises on Vijay’s trademark charm. With de-aging technology, he gets to do it twice as well! Vijay pulls off both roles with ease. 

His villainous side is compelling. With Vijaykant as a front, Vijay also sends a ‘political message.’ Mohan as Rajiv Menon, a former SATS officer gone rogue, does a great job as a bad boy, but between the two Vijays, his character gets lost. Prashanth, Prabhudeva, Sneha, Jayram, Meenakshi Chowdary add to Vijay’s charm. Yo gi Babu and Premji bring comic relief, with the former scoring big in the Gandhi-Nehru bit. The de-aging technology has been crafted well, contrary to the comments after the release of the trailer. A few throwback gestures and dialogues from a few of Vijay and Venkat Prabhu’s films are blended naturally without going overboard. 

Yuvan Shankar Raja scores well in action and elevation sequences, but the songs, including the special number with Trisha, are a big letdown. Siddharth Nuni’s cinematography, too, is just about average. Endless fan moments, all mass and no solid substance makes it an average watch. — Ronak Kotecha To review any movie and check show timings visit etimes.in

At RG Kar, CBI probes ‘diversion’ of college fund

At RG Kar, CBI probes ‘diversion’ of college fund 

Rohit.Khanna@timesofindia.com 

Kolkata : CBI started probing alleged money laundering through academic funds diversion and disposal of bio-medical waste in RG Kar Hospital during arrested ex-principal Sandip Ghosh’stenure. The agency has come across allegations of the hospital’s funds being drained in counselling sessions for UG and PG students. 

In a 20-day counselling session, the hospital allegedly spent Rs 14 lakh on hiring CCTV cameras, sound systems, tables, chairs and computer accessories, and a few other expense heads. Expenses for backing up data on a pen drive was between Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000 per day. Huge amounts were also spent in the name of procuring hybrid Wi-Fi connection, printer toners and other accessories. 

The agency is also examining documents related to work orders for biomedical waste management companies without any treatment facility in Bengal. 

The agency has stumbled upon a complaint in which bio-medical waste was found at dump sites at Barrackpore Municipality and Budge Budge Municipality, several kilometres from the hospital. It was alleged the companies dumped hazardous waste in plastic bags and left them open at these sites. Some other offences may surface during the probe, the agency has told a CBI court that remanded Ghosh earlier this week.

NEWS TO DAY 05.09.2024

 

Nursing colleges get notice over excess fee collection

Nursing colleges get notice over excess fee collection 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 5.9.24

Bengaluru : Flooded by complaints over additional fees being collected from students seeking admission to nursing colleges, the admission overseeing committee has issued a notice to such institutions asking them to adhere to rules. As per Justice B Manohar, who heads the committee, there have been at least six written complaints and numerous phone calls regarding the same. Currently, the fee structure is Rs 10,000 for students admitted under the govt quota, Rs 1 lakh under management quota, and Rs 1.40 lakh for nonKarnataka students. “Some colleges have been demanding up to Rs 1 lakh for govt quota seats. They charge the excess fee under additional heads like uniform and transport. 

When I interacted with the principals and said that the students do not need transport, they came up with excuses like the students will have to be taken to the hospital. These explanations cannot be accepted. Colleges will have to adhere to the rules,” said Justice Manohar. 

“Demanding and collection of any amount over and above the fee prescribed by govt is contrary to law and ex ploitation of the students. As you are all aware that under the consensual agreement between the state govt and the association of private nursing colleges, the fee payable by the students, both under govt quota seats and private quota seats, are fixed by the state govt,” said the notice. Any demand for amount over and above the fee prescribed by the govt is not only contrary to the provisions of the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1984, but also the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Determination of Fee) Act, 2006, the notice dated Sept 4,2024 said, adding that action will be taken in accordance with the law. 

“The govt should address the practice of private nursing colleges requiring local students to stay in hostels and forcibly, collecting hostel fees . This includes cases where students are threatened, saying their admit cards will be withheld. Action should be taken against such  coercive practices,” said Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje of National PreUniversity Students, Parents and Teachers’Association. He requested KEA to publish full list of students, who are allotted seats, to ensure transparency in admissions

CYBER CRIME

 

Doctor pursuing mistaken transaction loses ₹1.5 lakh

Doctor pursuing mistaken transaction loses ₹1.5 lakh

Chaithanya.Swamy@timesofindia.com 

Bengaluru : In the latest cybercrime reported in the city, a 32-year-old doctor who raised a complaint with National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) about a mistaken transaction fell prey to cybercrooks and ended up losing Rs 1.5 lakh. According to police, this is a new type of cybercrime reported in the city in recent days. Dr Raksha (name changed) told Annapoorneshwarinagar police in her complaint that she wanted to send Rs 10,000 to someone known to her through a digital payment app on Aug 27. However, the Nagarabhavi resident ended up sending it to the wrong person. 

After realising that she had made a mistake, Dr Raksha visited the NPCI portal to register a complaint. NPCI is a payment and settlement infrastructure initiative of the Reserve Bank of India and Indian Banks’Association. She entered the details such as the type of transaction, the first six and last four digits of her debit card number, bank name and ac count number, mobile number, and her name, and raised a complaint. She received a call from two numbers on Aug 31. 

The callers introduced themselves as NPCI officials and on the pretext of helping her get her money back and close the complaint, they asked her to reveal her bank balance. After she shared the details they sought, the miscreants asked her to open her bank’s mobile app. As Dr Raksha had not installed the app, they asked her to download it and register. They made her keep the app open until they finished the “verification and refund”. According to her, the miscreants siphoned off Rs 1,49,777 from her account in multiple transactions. 

She noticed the amount debited from her account and told them about the same. However, they claimed it was due to technical glitches, and they would resolve the issue. She suspected that they were cheating her and complained to the cyber helpline. She lodged a  complaint with police on Sept 2. A senior officer said they are investigating how the cybercrooks accessed the details of her complaint to NPCI. A case has been registered under the Information Technology Act and the investigation is in progress.

Over a dozen snakelets found in restroom in govt college at Cheyyar

Over a dozen snakelets found in restroom in govt college at Cheyyar 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 5.9.2024 

Tiruvannamalai : Panic gripped students of Arignar Anna Govt Arts and Science college in Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai district on Tuesday after a girl student spotted more than a dozen snakelets in the ladies’ restroom in the college and alerted students, teaching and non-teaching faculty members. 

A few students entered the restroom and took videos and photos of the snakelets inside. These were shared widely on social media. The college management locked the restroom complex, and pasted a notice alerting students of the presence of snakelets and requested them not to use it. 

The college management then sent at alert to the forest department, which sent a team that rescued more than half a dozen snakelets and launched a hunt for other reptiles on the campus. Students said they spotted a snake a few days ago near therestroom, but the reptile escaped even before a rescue team could reach the college. 

There are about 8,500 students, including girls, studying in the college, which functions in two shifts. Students complained that restrooms in the college were not maintained properly. Moreover, thick bushes and shrubs covered the restrooms, making it ideal for poisonous insects and reptiles. College principal S Kalaivani said the bush and shrub near the restroom grew fast after the recent rain and promised students to clear the vegetation and clean restrooms

PG medico kills himself over family issues

PG medico kills himself over family issues 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 5.9.2024 

Chennai : A post-graduate medical student committed suicide by injecting a lethal dose into his body at the hostel of Madras Medical College around 7 am on Wednesday. Police said he took the extreme step due to a family issue. The deceased, Aravind, 24, a native of Ezhayiram Pannai in Virudhunagar, was pursuing his firstyear master's degree at the Madras Medical College and stayed at the hostel. 

On Wednesday, his batchmates suspected something was wrong as Aravind didn’t come out of his room. They informed the hostel warden who then broke open the door, only to find Aravind lying unconscious on his bed. Students got Aravind admitted to a hospital, where doctors examined and declared him dead on arrival. On information, a police team from Triplicane recovered his laptop, mobile phone and other documents from his room. Police found an empty syringe, and said the deceased had selfadministered an injection that killed him. 

Forensic officials have recovered the syringe for medical examination to confirm the chemical remains in it. Preliminary inquiries revealed that Aravind had an argument with his family as they denied him permission to marry his uncle’s daughter. Police suspect that Aravind may have taken the extreme step due to this issue. Triplicane police have registered a case, and further investigations are on.

 It may be recalled that a medical college student, Shirley, committed suicide on Sunday by leaping off the fifth floor of the hostel building at Meenakshi Medical College in Kancheepuram. In yet another incident at Virudhunagar, a second-year medical student, Vivega, took her life by hanging from the ceiling at her house after she failed twice in a subject in her first-year semester examinations.

(Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on Tamil Nadu’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline (044-24640050).

Questioned in city drugs case, student leaps to death Cops Arrested 11 Students After Raids In Potheri

Questioned in city drugs case, student leaps to death Cops Arrested 11 Students After Raids In Potheri 

Sindhu.Kannan@timesofindia.com  5.9.24 

Chennai : A 22-year-old private engineering college student jumped to his death from the fourth floor of an apartment building in Potheri near Maraimalai Nagar on Tuesday night, three days after he was taken with 23 others by police for inquiry over ganja use. On Saturday, 1,000 police personnel from Tambaram commissionerate raided several gated communities in Potheri, occupied mostly by engineering college students, and seized ganja, hookah machines, ganja oil, ganja chocolates and arrested 11 students. Police who identified the deceased as Konda Srinivasa Nikhil of Telangana, a fourth year B Tech (CSC) student, said hookah pipes had been seized from his room. 

After he was taken to the Maraimalai Nagar police station for questioning and his parents were informed, officers issued a warning, obtained a written apology and let him off. No case was registered. A preliminary probe revealed that the college management summoned him for an internal inquiry and his parents reprimanded him for getting into bad company.

 No suicide note, No suicide note left behind 

Some of the house owners in the building had already asked the students to vacate the place, police said. For three days after the raid, Nikhil confined himself to his room and did not attend college.  Tuesday night, he jumped from the fourth floor. A few fellow students rushed him to a private hospital in Potheri where he died early on Wednesday morning. Police sent the body for postmortem to Chengalpet Govt Medical College and Hospital and registered a case. 

He did not leave any suicide note behind. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on TN’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)

Government hospital in Madurai bars free food for patients, NGO sees role of actor’s eatery

Government hospital in Madurai bars free food for patients, NGO sees role of actor’s eatery

"The hospital authorities claimed that our distribution was an obstacle and cited security reasons," said Managing Trustee of Star Friends Trust T Gurusamy.

Hospital authorities have issued the order citing security reasons 

Express News Service

Updated on:

03 Sep 2024, 10:08 am

MADURAI: Authorities at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) have stopped free food distribution by an NGO to attendants of patients, citing security reasons. Currently, volunteers of the NGO distribute food packets near the GRH entrance.

Speaking to TNIE, Managing Trustee of Star Friends Trust T Gurusamy said, “Our mission is to provide essential support and resources to those in need. We distributed free food to visitors and attendees of the patients at the GRH for 173 days, as they were mostly from other districts. On the 174th day (Thursday), we were asked to stop the distribution.

"The hospital authorities claimed that our distribution was an obstacle and cited security reasons. This is not valid as our distribution lasts for just an hour every morning. We suspect the reason behind this is a private eatery owned by a Tamil actor located inside the premises and raised concern over this. However, we do not blame anyone but are worried that distributing food at the entrance will invite attention from outsiders and passers-by. We will be issuing tokens to attendees, said T Gurusamy.

Speaking to TNIE, GRH (Madurai) Dean (In-Charge) Dr G Selvarani said, “We are not against distributing food packets to patients, attenders or visitors. But it is inviting beggars and destitute from outside the premises. The food distribution vehicle is parked inside the narrow passage blocking the movement of patients, doctors and health workers. Hence, we asked the volunteers to distribute the packets outside the GRH near the entrance.”

Second-year Medical College student dies by suicide after failing exam

Second-year Medical College student dies by suicide after failing exam

On Monday evening, the results of the first-year semester examination were published and Vivega who reappeared for the first year's Physiology subject in which she had failed earlier, was saddened to know she had failed once again.

Express News Service

Updated on:

03 Sep 2024, 4:56 pm

2 min read

VIRUDHUNAGAR: A 20-year-old second-year Madurai medical college student, hailing from Virudhunagar, died by suicide at her house on Monday allegedly after failing in a subject in the first-year semester examination.

According to sources, Vivega's mother Kanagalatha is an office superintendent at the Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital, and her father Veeramani is an accountant at a private hospital.

Vivega, a 2022 batch student has been doing her medicine at the Madurai Medical College by staying in the college's hostel. Following the semester holidays, she has been staying at home.

On Monday evening, the results of the first-year semester examination were published. Vivega who has reappeared for the first year's Physiology subject in which she had failed earlier, was saddened to know that she had failed in the examination once again.

Vivega informed her parents that she was about to bathe and left for her room. Later, Vivega's parents received a call from her friend that Vivega's mobile had been switched off for a long time and told them to check on her. When her parents forcefully opened the locked room, they found Vivega had attempted suicide. She was then rushed to Government Medical College Hospital in Virudhunagar.

However, doctors declared that she was brought dead. A case was registered at the Virudhunagar Rural Police Station under 194 BNSS. "No suicide note was recovered. We have conducted a thorough search of her house," police sources said. Following the autopsy, the body of the deceased was handed over to the parents.

Two Madras university employees go on hunger strike

Two Madras university employees go on hunger strike

Two employees M Vijaykumar and Sivakumar are working as section officers. Vijaykumar alleged that the authorities have been delaying his promotion which is due from 2016.

Madras University

Express News Service

Updated on:

04 Sep 2024, 1:20 pm

CHENNAI: Two non-teaching faculty at the University of Madras have been on a hunger strike since Monday to protest alleged delay in their promotions for many years.

The two employees M Vijaykumar and Sivakumar are working as section officers. Vijaykumar alleged that his promotion was due in 2016, but the authorities have been delaying, citing improper reasons.

“If I was given a promotion on time, I would have become assistant registrar by now. Despite 30 years of service, I am not getting my due,” he said, adding that the two resorted to this mode of protest since many of their complaints were ignored. He added that they intend to continue their protest until their demands are met.

Vijaykumar said the university was earlier delaying the promotion, citing a case pending in court. However, he has not been promoted despite the court ruling in his favour In 2018. Despite repeated attempts, varsity officials were not available for comment.

Madras varsity convocation likely to be held on September 24

Madras varsity convocation likely to be held on September 24

As the post of vice chancellor has been lying vacant since last August, the varsity was unable to conduct the convocation for academic year 2023-24.

Madras University

Binita Jaiswal

Updated on:
04 Sep 2024, 11:47 am

CHENNAI: The convocation of University of Madras is likely to be held on September 24. The varsity officials said the decision to conduct the convocation was taken after the Governor-Chancellor RN Ravi recently insisted all the state universities to conduct convocations by October 31.

As the post of vice chancellor has been lying vacant since last August, the varsity was unable to conduct the convocation for academic year 2023-24. Last year convocation was held in August in which President of India Droupadi Murmu was the chief guest.

Usually, the convocation is held between April and June. The varsity on Tuesday released a statement for awareness of students citing that the convocation will be held in the fourth week of September. However, sources told TNIE that September 24 has been finalised for the event.

Varsity sources said organising the convocation will be no cakewalk as they will have to deal with the ongoing tussle between the two power centres. “We have managed to finalise a chief guest for whom all the stakeholders have agreed, “ said a person aware with the development.

As per the statutes of the university, the vice-chancellor alone can call for a convocation and issue the degree certificates. However, as per the governor’s instructions, the varsity convenor committee is initiating the process, but they are yet to decide as who will sign the certificates in the absence of the V-C.

“A decision in this regard will be taken soon, “ said a higher education department official. Due to the tussle between governor and higher education department, the V-C post is lying vacant since last year.

While the governor formed a four-member V-C search committee including the nominee from the University Grants Commission, the state government formed a three-member search committee excluding the nominee and now the matter is pending before the court.

Meanwhile , the news of the convocation has brought relief to the students. “ I had given an undertaking in my office that i will submit my original certificate and my HR keeps asking for it. Finally, I will be able to complete my paperwork, “said S Kowshik, a student of the varsity.

NEWS TODAY 4.9.24

 

NEWS TODAY 4.9.24

 

High cutoffs, NEET woes goad students in K’taka to grab what’s offered

High cutoffs, NEET woes goad students in K’taka to grab what’s offered

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 

Bengaluru : The high cutoffs in NEET ranks for MBBS admissions this year have forced students into accepting whatever seat comes their way — regardless of fees or the quality of the institution — amid fears that the competition could get fiercer next year. Counsellors confirmed that students want to hold on to the seat they get and choose not to opt for a gap year.

 There were many students who were expecting a Rs 1.5-lakh fee seat but have landed a general merit private seat (a private seat in a private college) with Rs 12 lakh fee. They do not want to give that up now. They are ready to take it even if it means selling property to raise funds. Those who had prepared for a Rs 12-lakh seat are ready for a Rs 20-lakh seat and so on,” said Raghavendra Hegde, founder of RH MedTech Mentor that provides counselling guidance for NEET and K-CET. 

College quality,  ‘Students not even looking at college quality’ 

This year, there has been a big jump in the number of students who scored more than 600 marks in Karnataka. Last year, the number of students in this range was around 1,500 to 1,800. But this year, it is around more than 4,300. The fear is that next year the competition could get worse. They are worried as to what may happen next year — will NTA bring in changes, will it become two exams a year, will the exam pattern change? 

The consensus among students and parents is we will arrange money for private seats in private colleges, come what may,” he said. Agreed Ali Khwaja, founder director of Banjara Academy: “Those students who would have taken a gap year to improve the ranks do not want to do so. 

They are either moving into engineering or taking whatever MBBS seat comes by. They are not even looking at the quality of the colleges. They have already gone through the trauma of uncertainties this time, with the exam nearly getting cancelled.” Khwaja said it is disappointing that students are not open to the idea of paramedical courses, which are equally attractive and rewarding. As per the counsellors, this is also one of the reasons why the cutoffs of GMP seats (general merit private seats) are going up. 

“The cutoff mark for general merit pri vate seats this year is 562 as against 476-479 last year,” said Hegde. The high cutoffs are having a ripple effect on BDS admissions. “Competition is getting tougher by the day. NEET is being taken by a record number of students every year,” he said.