Bengaluru: Since its inception, Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has been conducting entrance tests, counselling and allotting seats to various professional educational institutions across the State, but now the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) plans to form its own Examination Authority to counsel students for allotment of medical and dental seats in its colleges.
Speaking to this paper, Director of Medical Education Department Dr P G. Girish said that the directorate has decided to submit a proposal to the State Government to permit the department to constitute its own Examination Authority on the lines of KEA to conduct entrance tests for candidates aspiring to take up medical and dental courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
The Authority will also counsel students on availability of colleges and allotment of seats for paramedical courses as well.
A decision to submit this proposal was taken after discussing it with the members of the governing council of the Medical Education Department at a meeting held recently.
“The constitution of Medical Education Examinations Authority will not only lower burden on KEA, but also help expedite the process of seat allotment for medical and dental colleges,” he said.
The DME will take up the responsibility right from setting question papers, printing, receiving and dispatching it for smooth conduct of the test and focuses on procurement of OMR answer sheets, scanning and application of key answers etc besides other processes involved in counseling and seat allotment, he added.
According to sources in Medical Education department, there were 6,690 seats available from among 54 medical colleges but this has been reduced to 5,920 seats by Medical Council of India (MCI) this year due to poor facilities in some colleges. Dental Council of India (DCI) has also allotted 2,754 seats in 38 dental colleges in the State this year.
