Bengaluru: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has introduced strict new regulations for postgraduate medical and dental students who discontinue their courses after the final date of admission.
According to the latest notification in the 2025 e-Information Bulletin for PG Medical/Dental admissions, students enrolling in postgraduate degree courses will now have to sign a bond committing to a penalty of ₹10 lakh if they leave the course midway. For postgraduate diploma courses, the penalty will be ₹4 lakh.
Revised Penalty Structure
The new policy also specifies different penalties for students who cancel their seats at various counselling stages:
- After Round 1 (before Round 2): ₹25,000 processing fee.
- If allotted a clinical degree seat in Round 2 but fail to join: ₹1.5 lakh for degree, ₹60,000 for diploma.
- Cancellation after Round 2 (before mop-up): ₹7 lakh for clinical degree, ₹3 lakh for clinical diploma.
- Cancellation after mop-up: ₹18 lakh for clinical degree (medical/dental) and ₹6 lakh for dental degree/diploma, along with forfeiture of paid fees.
Specialty-wise Penalties
- Pre-clinical subjects (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Forensic Medicine): ₹1 lakh.
- Para-clinical subjects (Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, Community Medicine): ₹2 lakh for degree and ₹75,000 for diploma courses.
Government Service Commitment
Candidates admitted under the government quota must serve in government facilities for a specified period after completing their course. Failure to fulfil this bond will lead to additional penalties:
- PG Medical degree: Up to ₹50 lakh.
- PG Medical diploma: Up to ₹25 lakh.
Purpose of the Regulation
These measures are intended to prevent students from vacating seats after allotment, which disrupts the admission process and wastes valuable training opportunities. The KEA aims to ensure that seats are utilised efficiently and that only genuinely committed candidates take admission.
Important Points for Candidates
- All students must submit the bond at the time of admission.
- Cancelling or surrendering a seat after allotment will result in both the prescribed penalty and forfeiture of tuition fees.
- Students who leave the course midway may also be barred from applying for PG medical/dental admissions for the next three years.
- In-service candidates who fail to serve the required period may have to repay the full cost of their training, including stipends and allowances, along with penalties and interest.
Read Also: Telangana PG Medical Admissions 2025: ₹50 Lakh Penalty for Leaving Seat Midway, Says KNRUHS
