In a significant ruling that brings temporary relief to thousands of medical aspirants, the Karnataka High Court has intervened in the ongoing medical and dental admissions process. The court has directed the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) to put the brakes on finalizing the third round of seat allotment for medical and dental courses until October 31, 2024.
Court's Directive to KEA
A division bench comprising Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty delivered the crucial verdict while hearing petitions filed by anxious students. The court explicitly instructed the KEA not to complete the third round of seat allocation for both medical and dental programs until the end of this month.
The bench emphasized that this pause is essential to ensure fairness in the admission process, particularly for students who are still awaiting the outcome of their AYUSH counselling sessions.
Background of the Case
The legal intervention came after several students approached the court expressing concerns about being excluded from the medical seat allocation process. These students had participated in AYUSH counselling but found themselves in a precarious position as the medical seat allotment was progressing simultaneously.
The petitioners argued that without this judicial intervention, they would lose their chance to secure medical seats despite having qualified through the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
What This Means for Medical Aspirants
This court order provides a crucial window of opportunity for students who are currently in the AYUSH counselling pipeline. The temporary halt ensures that:
- Students awaiting AYUSH counselling results won't miss medical seat opportunities
- The admission process maintains fairness and inclusivity
- Qualified candidates get adequate time to transition between counselling processes
KEA's Position and Next Steps
The Karnataka Examination Authority, which oversees the state's professional course admissions, must now recalibrate its admission schedule to comply with the court's directive. The authority is expected to resume the seat allotment process after October 31, once the AYUSH counselling outcomes are clearer.
This development highlights the ongoing challenges in coordinating multiple counselling processes and ensuring that no deserving student is left behind in the competitive medical education landscape.
Medical aspirants and their families are advised to stay updated with official KEA notifications for further developments regarding the revised schedule for seat allotment.
