Chennai: The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Tamil Nadu, has advised candidates participating in the third phase of MBBS counselling to finalise their seat choices after 12 noon on November 1, amid the possibility of an increase in MBBS seats across medical colleges in the State.

Two rounds of counselling for MBBS and BDS courses have already been completed. The third phase, which covers 250 newly added MBBS seats along with earlier vacant ones, began recently, and candidates were initially allowed to exercise their options till 5 p.m. on November 1.

According to DME officials, the National Medical Commission (NMC) is expected to grant approval for additional MBBS seats in some Tamil Nadu medical colleges within the next few days. To accommodate these possible additions, the DME has revised the schedule, asking students to make their final choices only after noon on November 1.

Seat allotments will be made on November 2, and results are expected to be published on November 3, officials said.

The DME clarified that the change aims to ensure students do not lose the opportunity to opt for newly approved seats, as seat choices once confirmed cannot be modified later.