For medical aspirants in India, 2024 has been a challenging year. It began with the NEET UG 2024 controversy, which sparked nationwide protests, involved the CBI, and led to numerous legal battles. Following this, NEET PG 2024 also became mired in legal disputes, leaving lakhs of students anxious and frustrated. The complications surrounding the counselling process for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) have only added to their woes. Moreover, a legal battle in the Supreme Court over the lack of transparency in the conduct of NEET PG 2024 has further intensified the concerns of aspiring doctors.
NEET PG 2024: The legal battle
In September, the controversy surrounding transparency in NEET PG 2024 escalated to the Supreme Court, with a group of students filing a petition demanding the release of the answer key, raw marks, and details of the normalization process used to calculate results. Despite repeated requests, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) refused to comply, citing confidentiality as a cornerstone of its admission policy.
The case, filed on September 7, 2024, by 19 candidates, has faced five postponements to date. It was first heard on September 20, but subsequent hearings encountered delays—on October 4 due to the absence of the then Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and on October 25 due to the lack of representation from the central government. A petition filed on November 12 sought to delay NEET PG counselling until the matter was resolved. However, on November 19, the Supreme Court deferred the hearing to November 26, which was again postponed to December 3 by a Bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan after an adjournment was sought on behalf of the petitioners.
What does the plea highlight?
The petition raises serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of NEET PG 2024. Among the key issues is the abrupt change in the exam pattern just days before the test, which the court described as “very unusual,” leaving candidates uncertain about the fairness of the process.
Another contentious point is the normalization process used to standardize scores. Petitioners have demanded access to their individual response sheets, as well as the release of question papers and answer keys to ensure transparency.
However, the NBE remains firm in its stance, arguing that releasing such details would compromise the confidentiality of the examination process—a principle embedded in its admission policy. This has only fueled frustrations among candidates, who question the lack of accountability.
The NEET PG 2024 results, declared on August 23, have done little to ease tensions, as students await clarity on the legal and procedural uncertainties surrounding the exam.
NEET PG 2024 counselling chaos: From delays to sudden changes
While the legal battle over NEET PG 2024 continues, another pressing issue emerged: What about the counselling process?
The registration for NEET PG Counselling 2024 began on September 20. However, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), responsible for conducting the process, did not specify the last date for registration. Despite the ongoing Supreme Court case, students hoped MCC would soon release the counselling schedule. Yet, weeks passed—40 days to be precise—and no schedule was announced, leaving candidates anxious and questioning the authorities’ commitment to honoring healthcare professionals.
Relief finally came on November 1, when MCC released the long-awaited counselling schedule. The plan outlined four rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and a Stray Vacancy round. Additionally, MCC provided clarity on All India Quota (AIQ) and state counselling timelines.
With a roadmap in hand, candidates began to breathe easier. According to the schedule, Round 1 registration concluded on November 17, 2024, with seat allotment results announced as planned on November 20. Round 2 registrations are set to commence on December 4, 2024.
However, a sudden revision on November 7 added another twist. MCC updated the NEET PG Counselling brochure, introducing new details about eligibility criteria and admission processes for Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). The revised content highlighted a significant change: Starting this year, the Directorate General of Health Services will oversee the counselling process for Priority III, IV, and V candidates seeking admission to AFMS Postgraduate Teaching Institutes.
This revision followed a June 26 letter from the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), underscoring the restructuring of counselling responsibilities for AFMS admissions. Read our report here.
NEET PG 2024 counselling: Legal hurdles stall Progress in many states
According to media reports, the NEET PG 2024 counselling processes in several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Rajasthan, are grappling with legal challenges. In Madhya Pradesh, the High Court recently stayed the Round 1 seat allotment results, citing irregularities in the normalisation process used to prepare the state merit list. The court noted that the normalisation process caused unusual rank shifts, with students who scored higher and earned incentive marks being ranked lower than expected, leading to legal action.
Similarly, other states mentioned also encountered comparable legal disputes, resulting in delays in their counselling rounds. Apart from this, several states have released the round 1 seat allotment results of NEET PG counselling.
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