Kerala Medical Admissions: Rs 75,000 registration fee for vacant MBBS, BDS seats raises concerns

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Candidates seeking vacant MBBS and BDS seats through the special stray vacancy filling allotment will have to pay a registration fee of up to Rs 75,000 to submit their options, according to a notification issued by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE).

The registration fee for submitting options to MBBS and BDS courses in government medical and dental colleges is Rs 10,000. Candidates wishing to submit options for seats in both government and self-financing dental colleges must pay Rs 25,000. The fee for submitting options for MBBS courses in government and self-financing medical colleges is Rs 50,000. Those wishing to submit options for both MBBS and BDS courses in government and self-financing colleges will have to pay Rs 75,000. The allotment is being conducted to fill seats that remained vacant even after three stray vacancy allotment rounds.

Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Other Eligible Communities (OEC), children of fishermen, members of other communities eligible for OEC benefits, and students from Sree Chitra Home, juvenile homes and Nirbhaya homes have not been exempted from the registration fee. They too will have to pay Rs 10,000. Candidates registering options for NRI and minority quota seats in self-financing colleges may have to pay up to Rs 75,000.

The decision has drawn criticism for potentially denying financially disadvantaged candidates an opportunity to secure admission. Even candidates who secure high ranks in the entrance examination often depend on bank loans to meet the expenses. However, banks sanction these loans only after admission is secured. The high upfront registration fee could therefore leave such candidates without an opportunity to participate in the allotment process. Although a registration fee was imposed last year as well, the amount was not this high.

Option Registration

Candidates can register their options only after paying the prescribed registration fee. No changes relating to the fee will be permitted after payment. For candidates allotted seats in government medical or dental colleges through the special stray vacancy filling allotment, the registration amount will be adjusted against the admission fee. Candidates who do not receive an allotment will be refunded the registration fee after the admission process concludes.

Options can be submitted through www.cee.kerala.gov.in until 5 pm on November 6. The opportunity is available only to candidates included in the state medical rank list published by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations. Candidates who receive an allotment will not be allowed to make any changes. Those who have secured admission under the All India Quota will not be considered for this allotment, even if they register their options.

Fee Imposed to Prevent Seats from Lapsing

The Commissionerate for Entrance Examinations has explained that the registration fee is intended to prevent seats from going vacant. Candidates have also been advised to submit options only for colleges and courses where they are certain of taking admission.

Another round of allotment will be conducted for seats that remain vacant even after the special stray vacancy filling allotment.

"The registration fee has been introduced to prevent seats from lapsing."— Commissionerate for Entrance Examinations