New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted a last opportunity to fill vacant MBBS seats nationwide through a special stray round of counselling, which must be concluded by December 30. The move comes in response to petitions filed by private medical colleges, citing significant financial losses due to unfilled seats.
A bench led by Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, with Justice K.V. Viswanathan, directed that admissions be conducted exclusively by state authorities, ensuring transparency. Candidates already admitted to MBBS programs are ineligible for this round.
The petitioners, represented by senior advocates including Abhishek Manu Singhvi, highlighted that vacancies arose after the last round of counselling on November 30, primarily due to non-joining candidates. The colleges sought this one-time measure to ensure deserving candidates on the NEET-UG 2024 waiting list could secure admission.
The court emphasized that this decision should not set a precedent, underscoring its commitment to addressing the nation’s doctor shortage. The National Medical Commission (NMC) confirmed the presence of vacant seats but refrained from providing specific figures.
Key directives for this round include:
- No direct admissions by colleges.
- Vacant NRI seats to be converted to the general category.
- Admissions must not disrupt previously finalised ones.
This decision follows a similar October 2023 ruling, where the Supreme Court allowed an additional round to address 2,182 vacant seats nationwide. It reflects the judiciary’s focus on maximizing public benefit by addressing the acute need for healthcare professionals.
Background:
The admission schedule is governed by a 2016 Supreme Court order, with occasional relaxations for public interest. The special counselling aims to prevent resource wastage and ensure every seat is utilized effectively.
