Karnataka Medical PG Counselling Ends with 783 Seats Unfilled
In a significant development, the postgraduate medical counselling in Karnataka concluded on Saturday, leaving 783 seats vacant. This represents approximately 16% of the total 4,773 seats available through the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
High Vacancy Rates in Coveted Streams
This year's trends are particularly noteworthy as seats in highly sought-after specializations have remained unfilled. For instance, out of 500 general medicine seats, 37 are vacant. Similarly, MD radiodiagnosis has 35 vacancies from 287 seats, general surgery has 11 from 425, dermatology has 15 from 196, and paediatrics has 25 from 362 seats.
Factors Contributing to the Vacancy
Experts attribute this high vacancy to several key factors. A substantial increase of 967 seats in a single year has created an oversupply. Additionally, prolonged counselling cycles and legal delays have discouraged many students. Most vacant seats are under the management quota, with fees ranging from Rs 25,000 for anatomy to a staggering Rs 1.3 crore for dermatology in private colleges.
SNVL Narasimha Raju, chairman of The Oxford Educational Institutions, explained, "The mindset of students applying for MBBS and MD is different. PG students have charted out their career paths, and seats added mid-counselling often go unfilled. Long delays mean students prefer to prepare for next year's exam rather than pay exorbitant fees."
Comparison with Previous Years
In contrast, the 2024-25 academic year saw only 428 vacancies (10%) from 3,806 seats, all in pre- and para-clinical programmes. The 2023-24 session had 478 vacancies, similarly limited to those areas. This year's vacancy includes clinical streams, marking a shift.
Pre- and Para-Clinical Seats Struggle
Pre- and para-clinical subjects continue to face low interest. Only eight students opted for anatomy out of 119 seats, while physiology attracted 20, biochemistry 21, and pharmacology 70. Pathology fared better with 226 takers.
Bhagavan BC, vice-chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, commented, "Most vacant seats are in the management quota with fees beyond reach. It's unfortunate that seats remain empty while many students retake exams. Subsidizing these seats could make them more accessible."
Counselling Officially Concluded
Islavuddeen Gadyal, administrative officer at KEA, confirmed that all counselling rounds are over unless the National Medical Commission permits further sessions.
Detailed Seat Vacancy Data
The vacancy breakdown for 2025-26 includes:
- Anatomy: 111 vacant out of 119 seats
- Physiology: 97 vacant out of 117 seats
- Biochemistry: 92 vacant out of 113 seats
- Pharmacology: 53 vacant out of 123 seats
- Pathology: 39 vacant out of 265 seats
- Microbiology: 99 vacant out of 130 seats
- Community Medicine: 63 vacant out of 143 seats
- Forensic Medicine: 47 vacant out of 77 seats
- Dermatology: 15 vacant out of 196 seats
- Paediatrics: 25 vacant out of 362 seats
- General Medicine: 37 vacant out of 500 seats
- Radio Diagnosis: 35 vacant out of 287 seats
- Respiratory Medicine: 4 vacant out of 87 seats
- Emergency Medicine: 1 vacant out of 74 seats
- Orthopaedics: 28 vacant out of 358 seats
- Anaesthesia: 3 vacant out of 443 seats
- General Surgery: 11 vacant out of 425 seats
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology: 18 vacant out of 362 seats
- Diploma in Clinical Pathology: 2 vacant out of 2 seats
- Diploma in Public Health: 3 vacant out of 3 seats
Total vacancies stand at 783 out of 4,186 seats.
