Free Exit Option Leaves All-India Quota MBBS Seats

Free Exit Option Leaves All-India Quota MBBS Seats Unfilled in Tamil Nadu

2 min read707 Views

Only Education

· Sep 13, 2025

A significant number of MBBS seats in Tamil Nadu's government medical colleges remain vacant after the first round of all-India counselling, a situation attributed to the 'free exit' option that allows students to withdraw without penalty.

In a surprising turn of events for medical admissions, a large number of MBBS seats in Tamil Nadu's government colleges under the All India Quota (AIQ) have been left vacant after the first round of counselling. An analysis by the Central Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) reveals that a 'free exit' option, which allows students to withdraw their admission without forfeiting their security deposit, is the primary reason behind this trend. This policy has led to many candidates giving up their allotted seats in pursuit of better options. For regular updates on medical admissions, follow Only Education News.

Key highlights from the situation include:

Low Joining Rate: Out of the 824 seats allotted in 38 government colleges in Tamil Nadu, only 14% of the candidates joined.
High Exit Rate: A significant 707 candidates utilized the 'free exit' option after being allotted a seat, indicating a widespread preference for a better college or a spot in state counselling rounds.
"Virtual Vacancies": Of the students who did join, 95 opted for an 'upgrade' to a different college, creating a further round of "virtual vacancies" that must be re-allotted.

This situation has caused the first round of medical counselling to become "redundant" in some aspects. Students are using the free exit option as a stepping stone, which, while beneficial for them individually, complicates the overall seat allotment process and delays admissions.

As the second round of counselling approaches, aspirants should keep a close eye on the seat matrix and be strategic with their choices, as many of these seats will now become available again. This trend underscores the importance of a well-researched and careful approach to the counselling process. For more details visit: [https://www.onlyeducation.in/exams-list/medical]