The “Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka” is known as COMEDK. It is an independent organization committed to offering applicants to prestigious educational institutions in Karnataka a fair, open, and non-exploitation examination process. Due to its long history and dedication to quality, COMEDK has become a model exam that is respected and valued by all government-appointed Admission Oversight Committees, including the Honourable Supreme Court.

Increasing the Educational Ecosystem’s Power

In order to organize the testing processes that demonstrate the merit of aspirant students in the domains of medical, engineering, and dental sciences, COMEDK was founded in 2004–2005. Senior academics and reputable administrative professionals with extensive experience in the educational ecosystem make up our consortium. In addition to supporting a centralized counseling procedure, COMEDK has successfully conducted annual entrance exams for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in partner institutions over the years.

Karnataka’s Leading Quality Education Initiative

Karnataka is the most sought-after location for students seeking a top-notch education since it has been at the forefront of creating excellent professional higher education institutions. Serving 16 medical, 24 dental, and over 150 engineering colleges throughout the state, COMEDK takes pleasure in being a vital component of this educational environment. Students, parents, and educational authorities have shown us a great deal of respect and trust because of our dedication to upholding the best standards in education.

Process for Admission to Engineering Programmes

On Sunday, May 28, 2023, COMEDK administered an online test at 400 locations across India for the academic year 2023–2024. A total of 20,000 places in roughly 190 engineering colleges affiliated with KUPECA (Karnataka Unaided Private Engineering Colleges Association) are up for grabs in this exam, which is especially for engineering programmes. After the test, there is an online counseling session to ensure merit-based admissions.

Eligibility Criteria for UG Engineering Courses

To be eligible for UG Engineering courses, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

a) Qualifying Examinations: 

Candidates must have completed a second PUC or 10+2 Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination recognized by the State/Central Government. The last two years of study should comprise Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with English as a compulsory subject.

b) General Merit:

Candidates belonging to the General Merit category must have passed with a minimum aggregate of 45% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (40% for SC, ST, and OBC candidates of Karnataka State). 

Additionally, they must have passed each of these subjects individually. Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects, along with Chemistry or Biotechnology or Biology or Computer Science or Electronics as one of the optional subjects. Please note that any changes in eligibility criteria set by the AICTE/VTU will be adopted.

c) COMEDK Entrance Test: 

Candidates attempting the COMEDK Entrance Test for Engineering courses will be considered for the rank list.

d) Lateral Entry Admissions:

Diploma candidates are not eligible to take the Entrance Test, as there are no lateral entry admissions available.

Note: During counseling, candidates must submit the original marks card of the examination to prove their eligibility as evidenced by the original marks card.

Process for Admission to Architecture Programmes

The following requirements apply to candidates interested in pursuing courses in architecture:

1. Those must have completed their second PUC or 10+2 and passed the test with at least a 50% overall score in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (45% for those who identify as SC, ST, or OBC in Karnataka). Alternately, those with at least 50% overall marks (45% for SC, ST, and OBC candidates of Karnataka) and a 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics as a required subject are also eligible
2. All applicants for admission to the B.Arch. programmes from Karnataka, including SC, ST, and OBC candidates, must pass the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), which is administered by the Council of Architecture.  

The candidate must receive at least the qualifying marks overall and in each of the two individual components in order to be qualified for NATA. To qualify for admission, candidates must also pass the NATA exam and have completed any other architecture aptitude test administered by outside agencies. Only NATA scores and qualifying exam results will be taken into account for creating the merit list.

1. No COMEDK Entrance Test: COMEDK will not administer an Entrance Test to applicants for B.Arch. courses.
2. Separate Application for Counseling: According to the notification posted on the COMEDK website, candidates interested in architecture courses must submit a separate application form for counseling.

Test Format and Exam Information

Three subjects will be covered on the COMEDK UGET (Undergraduate Entrance Test) for engineering courses: physics, chemistry, and mathematics. 

• Medium of Examination will be ENGLISH Only
• Each correct answer will be awarded 1 mark
• There will be no negative marking for wrong answers
• However, in the event of a tie in the test score the principle of least negative responses (Number of wrong answers) will be adopted. In addition, if required, other methods may be adopted to break ties.
• Total Marks would be 180

Fee Structure and Application Process

Candidates can visit the COMEDK website for detailed information regarding the application process and fee payment

The Government of Assam has taken significant steps to streamline the Medical education curriculum, infrastructure, teaching methodologies, clinical exposure, and evaluation processes across various domains, including pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, paramedicine, and other allied health sciences, in a progressive move to improve the quality of medical education in the state of Assam. This proactive step strives to create excellence and uniformity in medical and healthcare education across the state, ensuring that students get the finest instruction and preparation to meet future healthcare demands.

Medical Association with Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS)

All institutions offering Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Paramedicine, and other Allied Health Sciences programmes in Assam, including those under other State and Private Universities, will be required to apply for affiliation with Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS) in order to achieve the objective of standardizing healthcare education. The institutions that are currently affiliated with other universities in Assam and offering these programmes are instructed to submit an application to move their affiliation to SSUHS. The SSUHS will evaluate the institutes and, after a careful review procedure, grant affiliation beginning with the academic year 2023–2024.

Centralised Admission Test for Medical 

The admission process for programmes in pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, paramedicine, and other allied health sciences shall only be done through the centralized Entrance Examination organized by SSUHS beginning with the academic session 2023–24 in order to assure fair and merit-based admissions. The most worthy applicants for admission will be chosen using the results of this standardized exam as a basis for assessing the ability and knowledge of prospective students.

Putting a stop to Unrecognised Medical Institutions

The Government of Assam has discovered that there are private institutions operating in the medical healthcare education field without sufficient regulatory license or recognition, which results in the issuance of fake degrees and diplomas. Deputy Commissioners have been given the authority to take severe action against such institutions in order to protect the interests of students and uphold the integrity of healthcare education. They will be obliged to stop these unlicensed institutions’ operations and make sure they receive the proper regulatory approval from the government and affiliation with SSUHS.

The Streamlined Approach’s Advantages

Students, organizations, and the medical and healthcare industry as a whole all gain from Assam’s coordinated approach to healthcare education in a number of significant ways. Some major benefits include:

1. Standardized Medical Education

Institutions offering programmes in pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, paramedicine, and other allied health sciences will adhere to a standardized curriculum thanks to the requirement of affiliation with SSUHS. This guarantees that students receive a consistent, thorough education that adheres to national and international standards and gives them the skills and information they need to succeed in their particular industries.

2. Enhanced Academic Standards for Medical Education

The affiliation with SSUHS will impose strict criteria for instruction on educational institutions. This measure encourages superior teaching practices and fosters a favorable learning environment for pupils. The importance placed on high-quality instruction improves students’ comprehension, critical-thinking skills, and capacity for knowledge application, ultimately creating competent healthcare professionals.

3. Increased Clinical Exposure to Medical and Healthcare Students

Practical training and exposure to real-world healthcare settings are two essential components of healthcare education. Institutions will be better able to give students increased clinical exposure thanks to the simplified approach. This offers chances for practical experience, internships, and clinical rotations that help students gain crucial clinical abilities, empathy, and adaptability in a variety of healthcare settings.

4. Strict Evaluation Procedure

SSUHS will put in place a thorough evaluation procedure that guarantees accurate and thorough assessments of students’ performance. This strategy includes a variety of evaluation techniques, including written tests, practical evaluations, research projects, and presentations. SSUHS ensures that students’ abilities are appropriately assessed and acknowledged by upholding rigorous evaluation standards, promoting an academic excellence culture.

A commendable step towards raising the standards of medical and healthcare education is the Assam government’s initiative to integrate medical and healthcare education across the state by affiliating with Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS) and implementing a centralized entrance exam. Assam is well-positioned to generate a new generation of highly qualified and competent healthcare workers by establishing a standardized curriculum, encouraging great teaching standards, offering increased clinical exposure, and putting in place a strict evaluation procedure. Students will gain from this change in healthcare education, but it will also help Assam’s healthcare system as a whole, leading to better healthcare for the state’s residents.

On February 22, 2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a Public Notice containing an updated state- list of recognized and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions, as well as the number of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) seats for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in India. However, the Commission has received numerous representations and inquiries regarding the inclusion of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the said list for FMGs’ twelve-month internship in India. After much deliberation, the Commission determined that AIIMS does not fall under its scope and, as a result, should be removed from its list. In light of the foregoing, the State Medical Councils are urged not to assign any FMGs to AIIMS for the conduct of an internship in India.

What is CRMI (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship)?

The Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) is a one-year internship program required of all medical graduates in India once they earn their MBBS degree. The internship seeks to provide medical graduates with practical experience in a variety of fields such as medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and other specializations.

About NMC

The National Medical Commission is a regulatory organization created by the Indian government in accordance with the National Medical Commission Act of 2019. It took over from the Medical Council of India (MCI) and is in charge of medical education, training, and practice in India. The Commission is also in charge of maintaining medical education standards and ensuring the availability of qualified medical professionals in the country.

About AIIMS

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is a network of autonomous public medical colleges in India that provide undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. AIIMS was founded in 1956 and is widely regarded as the country’s preeminent institute of medical education and research.

Why was AIIMS left off the list of Medical Colleges/Institutions in India that offer FMG Internships?

Following numerous representations and inquiries regarding the inclusion of AIIMS in the updated list of recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions for FMG Internship in India, the National Medical Commission deliberated on the matter and determined that AIIMS does not fall under its purview. As a result, AIIMS should be removed from the Commission’s list. As a result, all State Medical Councils have been asked NOT to assign any FMGs to AIIMS for the purpose of conducting an internship in India.

What are the ramifications of omitting AIIMS from the list of Medical Colleges/Institutions in India for FMG Internship?

Because AIIMS is not on the list of recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutes for FMG Internship in India, FMGs will be unable to apply for internships at AIIMS. This may limit the options accessible to FMGs seeking practical medical experience in India. However, there are numerous other recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions in India where FMGs can complete their internship.

How do FMGs apply for internships in India’s recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions?

FMGs interested in applying for internships at recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions in India may visit the National Medical Commission’s website for details on the application procedure and eligibility criteria.