New TS order reserves 85% B-category medical seats for local students

Hyderabad: The Telangana government issued an order on Thursday (GO Ms 129 and GO Ms 130) amending the rules of admission into MBBS and BDS courses in the B-category seats. According to the new order, 85% MBBS seats under B-category will be reserved for local students in 24 private medical colleges from the academic year 2023-24.

What are B-category seats?

B-category seats are those seats that were previously open to all students who answered NEET exam and were eligible for admission in medical colleges. Now, under this category, 85% seats are reserved for locals of the state and 15% for non-locals.

No changes in A-category, management quota

The management quota of private medical colleges will remain the same. The A-category seats are based on the government's reservation policy and rankings in the examinations. There are 20 non-minority and four minority private medical colleges that have 3,750 MBBS seats in the state. Of these, 952 seats under B-category will now be available for locals and 168 seats for students from all over India.

Questions raised in medical circles

With the Central Act on re-organisation valid for 10 years, will these government orders stand the test of law? The Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act 2014 is valid for 10 years. Private medical colleges state that the Central rule for B-category is well-defined and is valid till 2024. Till then, rules by the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments can be challenged in court.

What about students from Andhra who are studying in Telangana private medical colleges?

Several students from Andhra Pradesh opt to study in private medical colleges in Telangana. This new amendment will likely restrict them from applying to TS colleges now.