there has been an increase in the govt medical college seats. But this has happened with respect to the ews quota reservation. The candidates belonging to other categories like UR, OBC, SC, ST are not expected to gain very remarkable profit out of it. Even the ews candidates who are in the merit will occupy their original general seats and will not be entering into reservation quota. This increase in seats is certainly not for the benefit of the unreserved candidates. instead, it is causing loss.

The state government will increase MBBS seats by 25% in two phases over the next two years. Currently, civic and state-run colleges have 3,050 seats in all. An addition of 25% seats will take the total count to around 3,800 in the state, say officials. This year, seats are likely to increase in government colleges in Dhule, Akola and Ambejogai. The newly set up government college in Baramati, too, is ready for first-year admissions.

To accommodate 10% quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category, the Central government has asked the state to increase seats in their medical colleges. Colleges, though, are required to put in place proportionate infrastructure for the increase. Dr T P Lahane, director, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), said the decision to increase the intake will be taken after taking stock of the infrastructure in all colleges.

A medical education department official said the state plans to increase seats over two years. "It may not be possible to increase the intake in one year but the state is trying to gather information from colleges. A meeting with deans will be arranged in the coming week to understand the infrastructure status of state and civic-run colleges. A report based on this meeting will be submitted to the Central government. The increase will be brought into effect after the Central government's approval," said the official. He added that seats are likely to be added to colleges in Dhule, Akola and Ambejogai for 2019-20 academic session. Civic-run colleges in the city, which have 150-180 seats, may see a 35 to 45 rise in two years.