Bengaluru: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will conduct counselling for Diploma in Pharmacy (D Pharma) admissions, from the academic year 2025-26, both for government and private quota seats, replacing the existing manual process. The move follows concerns that between 2022-23 and 2024-25, a majority of government quota seats were left vacant even as private quota seats were being filled. Out of nearly 4,000 available seats, only around 800 were allotted during this period, highlighting inefficiencies in the manual counselling system handled by the Board of Examination Authority Pharmacy. Under the earlier procedure, counselling was based on II PU marks but carried out manually, often leading to confusion among students and delays in allotments. Officials admitted that the system not only slowed down the process but also resulted in significant wastage of government seats year after year. In its order, the state government highlighted that KEA already manages counselling for a wide range of courses, including diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and D-Pharma programmes in other streams. “Since KEA conducts counselling for all other diploma, degree, postgraduate and D-Pharma courses, conducting the same for D-Pharma course will ensure a standardised system. As KEA also conducts computerised robotic counselling, it reduces manual errors, confusion and malpractice in the process,” the order read. Times of Indiareports that KEA’s centralised, computerised counselling is expected to bring greater transparency, streamline admissions and ensure optimal utilisation of the state’s D-Pharma capacity. Officials believe the shift will also help restore student confidence in the process by making seat allocation quicker, clearer and less prone to manipulation. Also Read: D Pharma Student's Unlicensed Store Busted in Haryana, ACB Arrests Drug Official During Raid