NEET PG Counselling delay leaves doctors in Limbo

Chennai: Due to the continuous delay in the commencement of the National Eligibility Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025 counselling, thousands of doctors, who appeared in the PG medical entrance examination, are in limbo.

With uncertainty regarding their admissions, these doctors cannot work at any hospital, nor can they enrol in postgraduate medical courses.

On the one hand, the delay is affecting the doctors, and on the other, the hospitals, including the State-run medical colleges across the country, are short-staffed as the PG students who join these facilities to work are still waiting for the NEET PG Counselling process to commence.

Explaining the difficulties faced by the students, the National General Secretary of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), Dr Meet Ghonia, told Medical Dialogues, "The continuous delay in NEET PG counselling has become a recurring crisis that causes immense distress to thousands of young doctors across the country. Every year, these delays leave an entire batch of qualified doctors sitting idle for months — without work, pay, or clarity about their future. At a time when government hospitals are already overburdened and existing resident doctors are stretched to their limits, this administrative paralysis is indefensible. The system loses valuable manpower that could strengthen our healthcare delivery, especially in public hospitals."

"It’s not just about numbers — these delays disrupt academic timelines, increase burnout among current residents, and push many young doctors into financial and emotional uncertainty. Despite repeated assurances, there seems to be no accountability or structural reform to ensure timely counselling and session commencement. FORDA has consistently urged the concerned authorities — NMC, NBEMS, and MCC — to streamline the process, enforce fixed deadlines, and make the system transparent and predictable. Our doctors deserve better than this cycle of waiting and uncertainty," he added.

This year, there was a significant delay in the commencement of the NEET PG 2025 AIQ counselling. Even though the exam was conducted on August 3, 2025, and the results were declared on August 19.

However, recently, through a notice dated 06.11.2025, MCC informed all the candidates that the competent authority has decided to extend the Choice-Filling of Round-1 of PG Counselling 2025 till further notice, as the seat matrix has to be revised, due to information received from the National Medical Commission (NMC) for changes in PG seats and the National Board of Examinations (NBE) for withdrawal of 169 PG DNB seats after the start of Round-1 of PG Counselling.

Slamming the authorities for the current situation of these NEET PG aspirants, who are without a PG medical seat or a job, Dr. Sumit K wrote on X, "Doctors are jobless, hospitals short-staffed — but who cares? NMC, MCC & NBE are too busy ‘revising seat matrix’ for 3 months straight. Maybe by the time counselling starts, NEET PG 2026 will be here. Absolute brilliance in management!"

Highlighting the situation of these doctors, the X handle of medicopenia wrote on X, "NEET PG delays aren’t just schedule changes — they derail careers, burden families, and shatter dreams. Year after year, future doctors lose precious time, waiting endlessly for exams, results, and counselling. A nation that needs more specialists is forcing its own healers to stand still."

Commenting on the matter, the National Chairperson and President of the United Doctors' Front (UDF), Dr. Lakshya Mittal, told Medical Dialogues, "In the absence of a strict time frame, it is not only the academic year that gets affected. Thousands of doctors quit their jobs to prepare for the NEET PG exam, and they are now waiting for the counselling results. They have no clue regarding their future, as the counselling process will take months. Until the counselling is over, they cannot seek employment elsewhere. The authorities should have prepared in advance to conclude the seat verification process and any other technicalities, so that the counselling could start in due time."

"Healthcare cannot afford delays. Students cannot afford uncertainty. The nation cannot afford to keep its doctors waiting," said Dr. Akshay Dongardive, the National President of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA).

Dr. Dongardive pointed out how the continued delay in NEET-PG counselling has placed thousands of young doctors across the country in a state of prolonged uncertainty and financial distress.

"These are qualified medical professionals who have completed their MBBS and internship, and are currently prepared to serve the nation in vital specialty training roles. However, due to administrative delays in the counselling process, they are left without institutional placement, without work, and without pay," he told Medical Dialogues.

"At a time when the healthcare system continues to face patient overload, shortage of skilled manpower, and rising public health demands, keeping trained doctors idle is not just an academic issue—it is a public health concern. The delay disrupts medical education timelines, affects the mental health of aspirants, weakens the hospital workforce pipeline, and creates a significant financial burden for students, many of whom come from middle-class and rural backgrounds," he further mentioned, adding, "Doctors are not asking for privilege—they are asking for the basic right to continue their education and serve society. This uncertainty impacts their future career planning, research timelines, academic progression, and family responsibilities."

Urging the authorities to expedite the counselling process, Dr. Dogardive added, "We strongly urge the concerned authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NMC, and MCC, to expedite the counselling process without further delay. Swift action is necessary to ensure that the next batch of postgraduate resident doctors can join hospitals and contribute to delivering essential healthcare services."

Also Read: NEET PG Counselling delay sparks outrage, doctors slam NMC, NBE, MCC over 'mismanagement'