Chennai: The second round of medical counselling in Tamil Nadu has been postponed following the extension of the All India quota counselling, officials said on Wednesday.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to increase the number of medical seats across the country. These additional seats are expected to be included in the second phase of counselling. As a result, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended the All India quota schedule.

Consequently, Tamil Nadu has deferred its state-level counselling, which was scheduled to begin on Wednesday for filling over 500 vacant MBBS seats under the government quota.

“The state counselling process has to be aligned with the All India schedule. Since the second round under the All India quota is extended, the state process also stands postponed,” a senior official from the Directorate of Medical Education said.

Officials added that fresh dates for state quota counselling would be announced after the Centre finalises the revised schedule.

The postponement has caused anxiety among medical aspirants who were preparing to participate in the counselling this week. Many students, however, welcomed the inclusion of additional seats, noting that it would increase opportunities for admission in both government and private medical colleges.

The Directorate of Medical Education has advised candidates to monitor the official counselling website for updated information on revised dates.