NEET PG 2025 counselling for All India Quota (AIQ) seats faces a significant delay. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) awaits a Supreme Court (SC) verdict on answer key transparency before releasing the official schedule. This delay impacts thousands of postgraduate medical aspirants nationwide. The SC recently granted the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) two weeks to respond to petitions challenging the answer key’s transparency, a period now concluding.
Supreme Court Intervention Delays Counselling
The Supreme Court’s involvement stems from concerns raised by NEET PG candidates and the United Doctors Front. They filed petitions questioning the fairness and transparency of the NEET PG 2025 evaluation process. During its last hearing, the Supreme Court instructed the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to provide a response within two weeks to these petitions.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has affirmed its intention to release the full counselling schedule for 50% All India Quota seats. However, this release remains contingent on the Supreme Court’s final decision regarding the answer key dispute. The MCC had previously indicated a potential schedule release by mid-October, a timeline now subject to the court’s proceedings.
Answer Key Transparency Challenged
The core of the dispute revolves around the NEET PG 2025 answer key. NBEMS released the answer key alongside specific question IDs and candidates’ scorecards. However, it did not publish the complete question papers corresponding to the IDs.
Candidates and medical organizations argued that providing only question IDs, without the full question paper, prevents proper verification of scores. They stated that without the original questions, aspirants cannot accurately cross-check their marked responses against the official answer key. This limitation, petitioners contended, hinders candidates from thoroughly assessing the fairness and accuracy of the evaluation process.
The petitions specifically cited concerns that publishing only a partial answer key without its corresponding questions obstructs a transparent verification mechanism. This absence makes it difficult for candidates to challenge incorrect answers or discrepancies effectively.
Dual Status of Counselling Processes
As the legal challenge continues, the counselling procedure for the 50% All India Quota seats remains stalled nationally. This impacts a substantial number of medical graduates aspiring for postgraduate specializations across various institutions.
In contrast, some individual states have already commenced their NEET PG 2025 state-wise counselling procedures. These state-level admissions primarily target medical seats within colleges located in their respective jurisdictions. The divergence means candidates applying solely for All India Quota seats face an indefinite waiting period, while others pursuing state-specific quotas may see their admission processes move forward.
Next Steps for Aspirants
NEET PG 2025 candidates awaiting counselling should actively monitor official channels. The Medical Counselling Committee’s website remains the primary source for any updates regarding the counselling schedule. Aspirants must also track the Supreme Court’s official pronouncements for the verdict on the answer key dispute.
The Supreme Court’s decision will directly influence the timeline for releasing the All India Quota counselling schedule. Candidates should prepare to act promptly once the MCC issues new dates and guidelines following the court’s resolution.