Karnataka’s National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) counselling for the third round is on hold. The Karnataka High Court has reserved its order on five in-service medical seats. This decision impacts the seat allotment process, which was initially scheduled to be released on February 11.
Court Order Halts Seat Allotment
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has reopened the option entry window for the third round of NEET PG counselling. This action follows a Karnataka High Court directive. The court ordered KEA not to publish any seat allotment results until February 17. The original deadline for option entry was February 11.
In-Service Candidates Challenge Allocation
The delay stems from a writ petition filed by two in-service candidates. They are seeking the KEA to accept their Form-H submissions. These submissions were dated January 8 and January 20. The candidates request that five de-categorized in-service seats be offered to them. These seats remained vacant after the second round of counselling.
Vacant In-Service Seats
The five vacant seats are located in specific medical colleges and specialties:
- General Medicine – KVG Medical College, Sullia
- Anaesthesia – Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bangalore
- Anaesthesia – Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BRIMS), Bidar
- Anaesthesia – GRIMS, Gadag
- Dermatology – Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences
The petitioners argue these seats should go to eligible in-service candidates first. This should happen before the third mop-up round begins.
Court Reserves Judgment
On February 12, a Bengaluru division bench of the High Court reserved its judgment. The bench extended an interim order. This order prevents the announcement of seat allotments. The bench, comprising Justice Jayant Banerji and Justice T.M. Nadaf, allowed KEA to proceed with option entries and registration for in-service candidates.
Revised Counselling Schedule
The Karnataka NEET PG round 3 allotment date will be announced after the court issues its final order. Eligible in-service candidates can now apply online from February 12 to February 14. They must pay the required fee. The KEA has listed four seats under the in-service quota for this process.
Document Verification and Final Preferences
Candidates must attend document verification at the KEA office in Bangalore. This will occur on February 16, between 10 am and 1 pm. Following verification, candidates can submit their preferences. This final option entry window closes at 11 am on February 17.
The KEA NEET PG round 3 option entry will be open from February 16, 11 am, to February 17, 11 am. Candidates already declared eligible for round 3 can submit or revise their preferences. The Karnataka High Court will next hear the case on February 17.