The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has not released the schedule for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025 counselling. This delay comes more than two months after the exam, impacting nearly 2 lakh medical graduates nationwide. Simultaneously, Karnataka’s registration for state quota NEET PG 2025 counselling now closes on October 17 .
National Counselling Faces Delays
The NEET PG 2025 examination took place on August 3, 2025 . Results followed on August 19, 2025 . Initial expectations, shared by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), suggested counselling for MD and MS admissions would commence by mid-October. However, the MCC has not issued any official update or timeline for the counselling schedule.
This prolonged wait leaves medical graduates in a state of uncertainty. Doctors’ groups have voiced strong criticism against the National Medical Commission (NMC). They describe the delay as a “mockery” of the admission process for postgraduate medical programs. Over 70 days have elapsed since the exam results, affecting the career progression of thousands of doctors.
The annual counselling process determines admission to Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Surgery (MS) courses in various medical colleges. A delay directly impacts the academic year’s start and residency training schedules for new postgraduates.
Supreme Court Intervenes on Transparency
A primary cause for the stalled NEET PG 2025 counselling schedule is an ongoing petition in the Supreme Court. The petition calls for enhanced transparency within the examination process. It specifically challenges the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) methodology. NBEMS currently releases only question-ID-wise responses to candidates. Petitioners demand the release of full question papers alongside responses for comprehensive review.
Earlier court hearings in September were adjourned without resolution. The Supreme Court has scheduled the next crucial hearing for October 28, 2025 . The MCC cannot finalize or announce the national counselling schedule until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict or provides specific directives regarding the transparency concerns. This judicial review directly impacts the entire admission timeline.
Further complicating the process, the NMC has not yet approved the seat matrix. The seat matrix is a vital document. It details the precise number of postgraduate medical seats available across all participating institutions and specialties. Without NMC approval of this matrix, the MCC cannot proceed with seat allocation or counselling rounds.
State Quotas Move Forward Independently
Despite the national-level delay, several state authorities have begun their independent preparations for state-quota NEET PG counselling. States including Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have initiated their respective registration or document verification processes. These efforts focus on admissions to seats reserved for candidates within their own state. This allows some candidates to move ahead, though most still await the broader national schedule.
A significant update for candidates is Karnataka’s extended registration deadline for its state NEET PG 2025 counselling. Aspirants seeking admission in Karnataka now have until October 17 to complete their online registration and submission of required documents. This extension offers additional time but emphasizes the varying timelines between national and state counselling processes.
The All India Quota (AIQ) counselling, managed by the MCC, allocates 50% of the total postgraduate seats in government medical colleges and 100% of seats in central universities and deemed universities. State counselling handles the remaining 50% of seats in government colleges, plus private college seats, under state rules.
Guidance for Aspirants
Aspirants must regularly check the official MCC website, mcc.nic.in, for the latest announcements. The complete counselling schedule, including dates for registration, choice filling, and seat allotment rounds, will appear there immediately upon release. It is crucial for candidates to prepare all necessary documentation in advance.
Required documents typically include NEET PG rank cards, scorecards, provisional allotment letters, mark sheets of MBBS/BDS, internship completion certificates, medical registration certificates, and relevant category certificates (e.g., SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD). Having these ready will ensure quick and smooth registration once the dates are declared.
The upcoming Supreme Court hearing on October 28 remains a key date. Its outcome will likely determine the immediate future of NEET PG 2025 admissions, potentially unblocking the national counselling process and providing a clear timeline for thousands of medical graduates.