Counselling for the National Eligibility Entrance Test for Postgraduates (NEET PG) 2025, which determines admissions to MD, MS, and DNB courses, has been significantly delayed. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has not yet released the schedule for All India Quota (AIQ) seats, despite NEET PG 2025 results being announced on August 19, 2025. This delay is causing concern among medical graduates awaiting admission to the 2025 academic session.
Understanding NEET PG and its Counselling Process
NEET PG is a national-level entrance examination for medical graduates seeking postgraduate medical education. It is essential for securing seats in various Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Surgery (MS), and Diploma of National Board (DNB) programs across India. The counselling process is where qualified candidates choose their preferred colleges and specialties based on their ranks. The MCC manages counselling for 50% of the AIQ seats, while state bodies handle the remaining state quota seats.
Impact on Students and Academic Calendar
The prolonged wait for counselling dates is creating significant anxiety and mental exhaustion for students. Many have voiced their concerns on social media platforms, including ‘X’, highlighting that further postponement of postgraduate medical admissions will inevitably delay the start of their academic session for 2025. This uncertainty affects thousands of medical graduates planning their careers.
Key Reasons for the Delay
Officials, including those from the Tamil Nadu State Selection Committee, point to two primary reasons for the ongoing delay:
- Pending Seat Matrix Approval: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has not yet finalized the seat matrix. This includes approving new postgraduate medical seats in recently established colleges and increasing the number of MD/MS seats in existing institutions. Until this data is confirmed, the MCC cannot accurately allocate seats.
- Supreme Court Hearing Postponement: The Supreme Court has repeatedly adjourned hearings related to an ongoing legal dispute between the National Board of Examinations (NBE) and certain students. The outcomes of these hearings could influence aspects of the counselling process, leading the MCC to await judicial clarity before proceeding.
State Quota Counselling Status
While the MCC awaits the resolution of these issues for the AIQ, some states have initiated their respective state quota counselling processes. For example, Tamil Nadu began its NEET PG counselling 2025 for state-reserved seats. However, these state-level schedules often depend on the All India Quota counselling to proceed, as many candidates participate in both. Therefore, the comprehensive schedule for state quotas will likely be finalized once the MCC announces its AIQ dates.
What Candidates Should Do Next
The MCC is expected to announce the NEET PG 2025 counselling dates soon. Qualified candidates, those who scored above the qualifying percentile in the NEET PG 2025 exam, must monitor the official MCC website,mcc.nic.in, for the latest updates and the round-wise schedule. Keeping all necessary documents ready for verification is also crucial once the counselling process begins.