The delay in NEET PG 2024 counselling has triggered widespread concerns among medical aspirants, leading to calls for swift intervention from the authorities. Over two lakh NEET PG candidates, who have been awaiting updates on the counselling process, have voiced their frustrations, citing the uncertainty as a cause of both mental and financial strain.
With no clear timeline or information on the counselling process, candidates are in limbo despite the exam results being declared in August.The prolonged delay is raising concerns about the timely commencement of the academic session, further amplifying stress for both students and their families.
UDFA Appeals to Health Minister for Immediate Action
In response to these concerns, the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA), led by its National President Dr. Lakshya Mittal, wrote a formal letter to Shri J.P. Nadda, the Honourable Minister of Health and Family Welfare, urging immediate action. The letter, dated 6th October 2024, highlighted the significant delay in the NEET PG 2024 counselling process and its negative impact on students’ mental and financial well-being.
The UDFA called for Shri Nadda’s intervention to expedite the counselling schedule and ensure the release of key information such as the final registration date, the seat matrix, and the counselling schedule. The association also urged him to instruct the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), the National Medical Commission (NMC), and the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to take necessary steps to resume the process without further delay.
Candidates Appeal to UDFA for Help
Before UDFA’s outreach to the Health Ministry, over two lakh NEET PG aspirants had written to the association, requesting them to intervene on their behalf. In their appeal, the students expressed their frustration with the prolonged delay in the counselling process. The NEET PG exam was held on 11th August 2024 after multiple postponements, and results were declared on 23rd August 2024. However, despite the MCC initiating the registration process on 20th September 2024, there has been no further communication regarding the counselling schedule.
The aspirants urged the UDFA to approach the Health Ministry, MCC, NMC, and NBE to expedite the process. They stressed that the delay in starting the academic session is adding unnecessary pressure on them and their families.
NEET PG 2024: Background and Updates
The NEET PG exam for 2024 has faced multiple delays, starting with its rescheduling from March to August due to technical reasons. While the results were announced in late August, the Medical Counselling Committee has yet to release crucial details, including the counselling schedule and seat matrix, leaving thousands of students in a state of uncertainty.
NBE Withholding NEET-PG Marks Causes Problems in Rajasthan
Meanwhile, amidst these national delays, Rajasthan faces additional challenges. The National Board of Examination’s (NBE) decision to withhold the actual marks of the NEET PG exam has created difficulties for the state government in preparing its merit list. Rajasthan awards bonus marks to MBBS doctors working in rural government hospitals, based on their NEET PG scores. However, without the actual marks, the merit list cannot be drawn up, further delaying the admissions process for postgraduate medical courses in the state.
Dr Ajay Choudhary, president of the All Rajasthan In-Service Doctors Association (ARISDA), told TNN, “This is the first time that the NBE has not issued the actual marks for NEET-PG. Doctors have worked in government hospitals in rural areas, where the service is quite difficult. For this, the government gives them bonus marks for PG admissions. If the NBE has not issued the actual marks, it will be impossible to calculate these bonus marks.”
With delays mounting on both national and state levels, aspirants are eagerly awaiting clarity on when the NEET PG 2024 counselling process will resume.