AP Government Sets 15% In-Service Quota for Clinical, 30% for Non-Clinical PG Seats

Andhra Pradesh's government has approved a 15% in-service quota for clinical PG seats and 30% for non-clinical PG seats, effective from the 2025-26 academic year. This move aims to benefit government doctors who have worked in PHCs for at least two years. The quota is applicable to MBBS graduates who have served in government sector. The decision was taken after assessing the demand for medical specialists and the aspirations of in-service doctors.

Andhra Pradesh's government has approved a 15% in-service quota for clinical PG seats and a 30% quota for non-clinical PG seats, effective from the 2025-26 academic year. This move aims to benefit government doctors who have worked in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for at least two years. The quota is applicable to MBBS graduates who have served in the government sector. The decision was taken after assessing the demand for medical specialists and the aspirations of in-service doctors [1].

The in-service quota has been fixed at 15% in seven clinical departments, including General Medicine, General Surgery, Paediatrics, Gynaecology, Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine, and Radiology. Under this arrangement, 154 seats will be available for government service doctors. In contrast, nine non-clinical departments will have a 30% in-service quota, accounting for 118 seats. Altogether, 272 PG seats have been earmarked for in-service doctors for the academic year 2025–26 [1].

The in-service quota is a significant step to address the shortage of specialists in Andhra Pradesh. It aims to encourage MBBS graduates to opt for government service, thereby increasing the number of specialists available in the state. The previous academic year (2024–25) saw 312 service doctors applying for PG admissions under the quota. There are currently 2,288 government doctors serving at 1,144 PHCs across the state [1].

The decision has been met with mixed reactions. While some doctors welcome the move, others have expressed concerns about the fairness of the quota system. The government, however, maintains that the decision was taken after a detailed assessment of the projected demand for medical specialists by 2028–29 [1].

The reservation criteria for NEET PG seats also play a crucial role in the admission process. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts the counselling for the 50% AIQ seats and decides the reservation criteria for these seats. The reservation criteria for 50% AIQ seats of NEET PG 2025 are as follows: OBC (Non-creamy layer) 27%, SC 15%, ST 7.5%, EWS 10%, and PwBD 5% [2].

In conclusion, Andhra Pradesh's government has taken a significant step to address the shortage of medical specialists by introducing an in-service quota for PG medical seats. This move aims to encourage more MBBS graduates to opt for government service, thereby increasing the number of specialists available in the state. The decision was taken after a detailed assessment of the demand for medical specialists and the aspirations of in-service doctors.

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ap-govt-fixes-in-service-quota-at-15-for-clinical-30-for-non-clinical-pg-seats/article69894520.ece
[2] https://medicine.careers360.com/articles/neet-pg-reservation-criteria