Hyderabad: Students who have completed their MBBS in Telangana are now facing difficulties pursuing their postgraduate (PG) studies. This is due to a new government order (GO 148) that classifies students who have studied Intermediate (equivalent to high school) in other states as non-locals.
There are approximately 4,000 to 5,000 MBBS graduates who may lose their local status in Telangana because of this rule. These students might also face rejection in other states, making it harder for them to continue their higher education. They are upset that this government order was issued just two days before the notification for PG counselling. Now, they are asking the Telangana government to treat MBBS graduates from the state as locals, or at least provide a grace period, so they can participate in the PG counselling.
One of the students, who did not want to be named, pointed out that neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra consider students who have completed MBBS in their states as locals, regardless of where they went to school before. The student explained that since Telangana doesn’t follow this rule, students who moved to Telangana for MBBS now risk being seen as non-locals both in Telangana and in their home states.
The students are requesting the government to allow them some time to resolve the issue and avoid having their applications rejected when applying for PG counselling. One doctor explained that they completed their MBBS between 2014 and 2023, a time when Telangana was still sharing a capital with Andhra Pradesh. Now, they are considered non-locals in both Telangana and other states. This is especially challenging for students from the general category (OCs) who don’t have reservation benefits, as it reduces their chances of getting a seat in their desired PG courses.
The medicos are urging the government to reconsider its decision or at least grant a grace period before the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) releases the merit list, as their applications are at risk of being rejected due to this new rule.
