300 MBBS seats in 4 private colleges in Maharashtra out of admission process

Mumbai: As many as 300 MBBS seats in four private medical colleges in

Maharashtra will be unavailable for admission this year despite National Medical Commission (NMC) approving the intake at the institutions. While Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) denied two colleges affiliation, it reduced the approved intake at two others, citing deficiencies in infrastructure, faculty and patient numbers.

The decision comes at a time when the state’s MBBS admission process is in its final stages, leaving little possibility of the affected seats being offered to students this year.

NMC had approved 150 MBBS seats each at Kashibai Navale Medical College in Pune and SNKM College in Kopargaon. However, MUHS has permitted only 50 seats at Kashibai Navale and 100 at SNKM, effectively reducing their combined intake by 150 seats. The other 150 seats are at Mauli Medical College in Lonar, where NMC approved 100 seats, and Ideal IMC College, which received approval for 50 seats. Both colleges have been unable to participate in the admission process due to lack of university affiliation.

“The denial to already established colleges like Navale to reduce seats from 150 to only 50 in spite of NMC’s approval smacks of MUHS politics.

Does it mean to say that NMC is less competent? It has deprived borderline students who cannot afford a deemed university from getting a seat in the state,” said parent representative Sudha Shenoy.

Student counsellor Sachin Bangad said it was unusual for seats approved by NMC to be kept out of the admission process. “Seats approved by NMC should be filled within the stipulated time in the interest of students. All eligible students should be given an opportunity to compete for these seats.”

The centralised admission process for MBBS courses has already concluded and admissions to vacant seats are being conducted through the institutional-level round. The state common entrance test cell has to complete the process by Oct 26.

A senior MUHS official said inspections had revealed serious shortcomings at the colleges. Before granting affiliation to an NMC-approved institution, the university assesses its infrastructure, faculty strength, availability of equipment and patient load. “The inspections found deficiencies on several counts. The number of patients available for clinical training was also inadequate in proportion to the student intake. The colleges were directed to rectify these shortcomings, and affiliation and approval for the affected seats were withheld until they complied,” the official said.

With the admission process nearing completion, another university official said the possibility of the colleges being included in this year’s process was remote.