Bhubaneswar, July 24: The second phase counselling for medical seats at three government and two private medical colleges and hospitals in the state began today.

As many as 269 MBBS and 88 BDS seats will be filled up during the second phase. These include 103 MBBS seats at SCB Medical College, 24 MBBS seats in MKCG Medical College, 19 MBBS seats at VSS Medical College. Besides, 62 MBBS seats at Hi-Tech Medical College, Bhubaneswar, 61 MBBS seats at Hi-Tech Medical College, Rourkela, nine BDS seats at SCB Medical College and 79 BDS seats in Hi-Tech Medical College, Bhubaneswar also have to be filled up.

Allotment of seats would be made by the evening of July 27. A total of 613 students were allotted seats in the first phase counselling. Around 730 students are expected to take part in the second phase counselling. Names of 1,325 students have been enlisted in the merit list prepared by the DMET.

After the allotment of seats, the students will have to report to the concerned medical colleges by August 3.

The DMET authorities said that in case the seats were still left vacant after the second counselling, a third phase counselling would be held during the second week of September.