Medicos Parents’ Association Urges Reforms in AP’s PG Medical Admissions

The Medicos Parents’ Association of Andhra Pradesh (MPA-AP) has appealed to the state’s Health Minister, Satya Kumar Yadav, to address the pressing issue of local category admissions for postgraduate (PG) medical courses for the academic year 2024-25.

In a letter addressed to the minister on Thursday, MPA-AP President Ala Venkateswarlu highlighted the challenges faced by students born and educated in Andhra Pradesh (AP) who pursue MBBS outside the state. He explained that these students, despite studying in AP until Class 10 and Intermediate, are being treated as non-locals when applying for PG medical seats in AP.

This unique policy, he argued, places AP students at a disadvantage. While students from other states who study MBBS in AP are considered locals in both AP and their home states, AP students who complete MBBS outside the state are excluded from the local category in AP as well as in other states. This dual non-local status makes it exceedingly difficult for them to secure a PG medical seat under the local category anywhere.

The association urged the government to revise the policy to align with neighboring states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana. These states consider students who complete primary, secondary, and intermediate education locally as eligible for local category PG admissions, even if they pursue MBBS elsewhere.

Venkateswarlu also called for necessary directions to be issued to NTR University of Health Sciences to adjust its admission criteria for PG medical courses. This, he asserted, would ensure a fair opportunity for AP students and safeguard their academic and professional interests.

The appeal is a significant step in addressing a long-standing concern and fostering equitable access to medical education for AP’s aspiring doctors.