The donations for MBBS seats in private colleges have shot up astronomically this year, thanks to the highest ever number of applications submitted by Eamcet medical aspirants. As many as 1,220 MBBS seats are available in the management quota in 23 private medical colleges in the state. The managements had mopped up Rs 610 crore last year through donations, with each seat selling for a whopping Rs 50 lakh. This year, the revenue is all set to cross Rs 1,000 crore due to high demand for MBBS seats.

The managements, which charged donations ranging from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 60 lakh for an MBBS seat last year, are now demanding Rs 60 lakh to Rs 80 lakh per seat. Eamcet medical applicants have crossed 95,000 this year, the highest ever in the history of Eamcet. The government is set to conduct Eamcet on May 12.

The total number of MBBS seats in the state available in 37 medical colleges is 4,950. Of these, 1,900 seats are on offer in 14 government medical colleges, which are filled on merit secured in Eamcet. The remaining 3,050 seats are available in 23 private medical colleges.

The private colleges are allowed to fill 40 per cent of their total seats on their own, totalling 1,220 seats under the management quota, by duly following transparent procedures and merit secured in 10+2 exams. However, it is an open secret that the managements “auction” the seats and give admissions to the highest bidder.