NEET MDS Counselling to Commence on August 20, MCC releases schedule

In the affidavit that was submitted on August 10, the Centre has informed the top Court that the counseling process would commence on August 20 and would be continued up to October 10, adds Live Law.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported the Union Health Ministry had requested the Supreme Court for allowing them four weeks time for holding the NEET MDS counseling virtually with the existing reservation policy. In fact, the Centre had also informed the top court that the counseling process was not delayed intentionally, but it was actually caused by the pending clarification from the Apex Court regarding OBC reservation in All India Quota seats surrendered by the State medical colleges.

Also Read: NEET MDS Counselling likely to be conducted within 4 Weeks

As per the latest media report by Live Law, on Monday, the top court had asked the Centre to inform the Court about the counseling dates for NEET MDS within August 11. Such a direction was given by the bench after clarifying that the delay in the counseling process was wrongly affecting the future of the students who have cleared the entrance exam last year and have been waiting for more than 8 months for the counseling process to commence.

Hindustan Times adds that on the eve of the hearing the MCC in a short affidavit had claimed that the delay was not intentional and it had to take the Centre's decision for providing 27% and 10% reservation to students from the other backward classes (OBC) and economically weaker sections (EWS) respectively in the All India Quota seats for UG and PG medical and dental courses.

"After the completion of discussion with all necessary stakeholders and the decision to provide reservation, the respondents have decided to conduct counseling from August 20 and will conclude on October 10, 2021as per the schedule annexed," the MCC affidavit stated as per Hindustan Times.

The doctors, having Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BDS) degree had appeared in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-MDS conducted on December 16 last year by the National Board of Examination (NBE) for admission to the Master in Dental Surgery (MDS) course.

Around 30,000 BDS (dental) graduates appeared for the NEET-MDS conducted for admission to over 6,500 seats in the country. The results for admissions in PG courses for BDS candidates were also declared on the scheduled date, which is on December 31, 2020. However, after the declaration of the result, i.e., on 31.12.2020.

Seeking a direction upon the MCC for releasing the counseling dates at the earliest for the NEET MDS 2021 the plea filed through lawyer Tanvi Dubey, also sought a direction to the MCC to conduct separate counseling for the NEET-MDS 2021.