NEET-PG Aspirants in Maharashtra Face Uncertainty as State Delays Third Round of Counselling

Mumbai, 13th February 2025: The uncertainty surrounding postgraduate medical admissions continues as many NEET-PG aspirants in Maharashtra remain in limbo despite appearing for the entrance exam in August last year. While the nationwide counselling process began in November, delays in the state’s third round have left students anxious about securing seats.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has set February 15 as the deadline to conclude the third round of admissions across India. However, Maharashtra is yet to release its third-round allotment list, causing confusion among candidates. The situation has been further complicated by new eligibility guidelines issued by MCC for the upcoming stray vacancy round, which contradict the state’s admission process.

Many candidates are caught in a dilemma as they wait for Maharashtra’s third-round results. “Students are unable to take a definitive call. If someone secures a seat elsewhere in the third round and their name also appears in Maharashtra’s list, they will have to forfeit one. But if they give up their out-of-state seat in hopes of getting one in Maharashtra and are ultimately not allotted anything here, they will be left without an option,” explained a parent representative.

The recent MCC circular has added to the confusion by stating that candidates who fail to join their centrally allotted seat in the third round will be ineligible for the stray vacancy round. However, those marked as ‘not reported’ will still be eligible for state counselling. Parent Brijesh Sutaria pointed out a discrepancy in Maharashtra’s interpretation. “The state only considers the allotment list, not whether a student joined the seat or not, making more students ineligible,” he said.

A senior official from the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) cell stated that the state will continue following its own admission guidelines. “The MCC circular also states that candidates should contact respective state authorities for information on state quota seats, which means we will follow our process,” the official said.

The official added that Maharashtra’s third-round allotment list is expected to be released in the next couple of days. “We are awaiting an updated merit list from the National Board of Examinations (NBE). The state has also reached out to MCC, explaining the delay and requesting an extension of the deadline,” the official stated.

With time running out, aspirants and parents hope for a resolution that ensures fair chances for all, avoiding a situation where deserving candidates miss out on crucial seats due to procedural delays.