Telangana PG counselling: In Telangana, over 4,000 MBBS graduates from Andhra Pradesh have been faced with a significant obstacle in pursuing their postgraduate (PG) medical education following recent changes under Government Order (GO) 148, which have impacted their eligibility for Telangana PG counselling.

Due to the revised regulations, these graduates are now barred from applying for PG counselling within Telangana, even though they completed their MBBS in the state.

As a result, widespread concern has been generated among the students, who have begun urging the Telangana government to reconsider this policy and restore their eligibility for Telangana PG counselling.

 Impact on Telangana PG Counselling

Under GO 148, students who completed their education outside Telangana, even if they earned an MBBS degree within the state, have now been reclassified as non-locals for Telangana PG counselling.

Consequently, they are unable to participate in PG counselling in Telangana, which has left many Andhra Pradesh students with limited options for advancing their education. Furthermore, these students, who had spent nearly a decade in Telangana’s education system, have felt unjustly excluded from opportunities within Telangana PG counselling.

Dr. Siva Rama Krishna, a medical graduate affected by this change, expressed frustration, stating, “We have been involved in the Telangana education system from 2014 until 2023, but we are currently shut out from further educational opportunities within the State.”

A Non-Local Status Dilemma in Telangana PG Counselling

One of the primary grievances among these students is their lack of local status in any state, which has effectively excluded them from Telangana PG counselling. Although Andhra Pradesh does not consider them local because they completed their MBBS in Telangana, Telangana’s new regulation now also prevents their participation in Telangana PG counselling.

Thus, despite having studied for years in Telangana, these students find themselves unable to pursue further medical education through Telangana PG counselling or within Andhra Pradesh. This dilemma is seen as particularly troubling since no other Indian state has implemented similar residency rules barring graduates from local PG admissions.

Appeal for a Grace Period in Telangana PG Counselling

In response, the affected students have petitioned the Telangana government to implement a grace period that would restore their eligibility for Telangana PG counselling. It is argued by the students that this abrupt policy shift has disproportionately impacted earlier MBBS batches who could not have anticipated this change.

Broader Implications for Medical Education and Telangana PG Counselling

Furthermore, this policy shift has raised questions about the residency criteria used in Telangana PG counselling and its effect on non-local students.

Since Telangana has historically attracted a diverse student body, including students from Andhra Pradesh, the GO 148 regulation could now potentially discourage future enrolment if students feel uncertain about their ability to access Telangana PG counselling after graduation.

Thus, it is anticipated that Telangana’s educational appeal might be affected by the implementation of GO 148.

Looking Forward: Will Telangana Revise GO 148 for PG Counselling?

It is hoped by students and advocacy groups alike that the Telangana government will address the eligibility issue surrounding Telangana PG counselling. By introducing a grace period or adjusting the local status criteria, Telangana may be able to prevent the disruption in academic plans for its medical graduates.

For the time being, these 4,000 affected students continue to await a response, maintaining their advocacy for a fair solution to the barriers unexpectedly imposed by GO 148 on their eligibility for Telangana PG counselling.

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