However, the state did lose about 100 seats following derecognition of Fatima College in Kadapa. Three new colleges in the private sector – Malla reddy Institute of Medical Sciences (150) and Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences (100), both in Hyderabad, and Visakhapatnam's NRI institute of Medical Sciences (150) have got the nod from MCI. The increase in seats was granted for Andhra Medical College, Kurnool Medical College and Siddartha Medical College.

The university fee has been prescribed at Rs 6,000, Rs 9,000 and Rs 14,500 under government colleges and category A and category B private colleges, respectively. All candidates, including those eligible for fee-reimbursement, would have to pay the university fees. Except for those eligible for fee-reimbursement, all others would also have to pay their tuition fees.

The first phase of counselling would go on for four days till July 23 with the second phase, for reserved category candidates such as BCs, SCs and STs, to run between July 24-27. With Medical Council of India (MCI) granting three new medical colleges in the private sector and increasing seats at three government colleges by 50 each, the total intake has increased by at least 650 seats in the state in the current year.

In all, there are 14 government medical colleges functioning alongside the 22 private ones in the state. While all seats in government colleges fall under the convener's quota, the first 50% of seats in private colleges will be categorized under A and another 10% will be filled up under category B.

Seats under both A and B categories would also be filled up through online counselling by the university. Managements of private colleges will be allowed to fill up the remaining 40% seats. At the time of the notification, 2,050 seats at government colleges and another 2,070 seats in private colleges were available for candidates from all three regions in the state.