KEA cautions medical seat aspirants against falling into trap of middlemen, fraudsters

BENGALURU: With the NEET results being announced, there is a possibility that gangs will become active, promising to get medical seats and cheating students and parents. Hence, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has cautioned students and parents about medical seat fraud and advised them not to fall for any middlemen.

The admission process for medical courses including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, etc. has now begun. Taking advantage of this time, fraudsters who collect money claiming they will get seats are likely to become active. Therefore, KEA has clearly warned students and parents not to believe any agents, middlemen, or private individuals.

The allocation of all government, private, management, and NRI quota medical seats will be done only through KEA counselling. The Authority has requested that if anyone asks for money claiming they will get a medical seat, they should immediately file a complaint with the police or inform KEA, which will lodge a complaint without disclosing the identity of the complainant.

Officials have clarified that it is not possible to get a medical seat through any kind of shortcut. Medical seats will be allotted only based on NEET rank. After the National Testing Agency (NTA) puts out the information information, the state rank list will be published, and state counselling will begin as per the schedule of the National Medical Commission.

“The KEA will conduct the counselling and students can try for the 15 per cent seats in deemed universities and government colleges which will be allotted by the MCC. For those who want seats within Karnataka and have submitted KCET applications, as soon as the NTA shares the information, they should link the NEET registration number. Once we get the seat matrix from the Medical Education Department, we will begin the option entry. Seats are allotted only on the basis of all-India NEET rankings”, said H Prasanna, executive director of KEA.

Further, Prasanna said, “For those looking for management quota seats, there is no scope for direct admissions after 2022. For the 40 per cent G category seats in private medical colleges, the government will give the seat matrix and also fix the tuition fees. Another 40 per cent of seats under P category is allotted with higher fee structure. Five per cent of seats is given under management quota with fees fixed by the colleges and 15 per cent is reserved as NRI quota. But all seats are allotted by the KEA only, and parents and students should be aware of this. Do not go by any promises by middlemen”.

The KEA has also stated that another opportunity will be given to candidates who have not yet applied. It has advised candidates who got seats in the first round to use the Choice-2 option to retain the opportunity for a better college. The only official way to get a medical seat is through KEA counselling. The KEA has urged students and parents to stay away from money traps, fake agents, and false promises, and to participate carefully in the upcoming admission process.