Ukkinadukka: Having secured approval from the National Medical Commission, the Government Medical College in Kasaragod on Monday admitted its first MBBS student to the inaugural batch.

The first seat was claimed by Gurwinder Singh, a native of Alwar in Rajasthan, who qualified under the All-India Medical Entrance quota. Of the 50 MBBS seats in the first batch, seven are reserved for candidates from the All-India rank list. To mark the occasion, Singh was welcomed with sweets by Dr KK Santosh Kumar, Principal-in-Charge, and Dr Praveen, Medical Superintendent. The admission procedure was formally completed with the recording of his attendance.

Classes at other government medical colleges in the state began earlier this week with students admitted during the first round of counseling. Kasaragod Medical College, however, received approval only after the conclusion of that round and therefore could not enroll students initially.

Classes at the new college will now commence on September 30, following the second phase of allotment. Students of the first batch have been provided with temporary hostel accommodation at Cherkkala.

Meanwhile, one more candidate from the All-India rank list is expected to join today. However, college authorities admit they cannot guarantee how long the newly admitted students will remain, since some may opt to shift to other institutions if allotted seats elsewhere.