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New Delhi, March 6, 2025: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced a Special Stray Vacancy Round for NEET-PG 2024 in an effort to fill the remaining vacant seats across medical colleges. The registration window for this round is open from March 6 to March 8, with seat allotment scheduled for March 10.
While the move aims to ensure that postgraduate medical seats do not go unfilled, the prolonged counselling process has sparked concerns among experts regarding its impact on academic schedules and the integrity of medical admissions.
Why Another Vacancy Round?
With multiple rounds of counselling already conducted, the decision to introduce an additional stray vacancy round signals that a significant number of seats remain unoccupied. Experts suggest that disruptions in state-level counselling and last-minute seat withdrawals have contributed to this issue.
“The government has an obligation to ensure that no medical seat remains vacant, whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. Given the way this year’s counselling has unfolded, this special stray vacancy round was expected,” said Rakesh Jain, Founder of NEET Navigator.
Jain explained that legal hurdles in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Karnataka caused delays in counselling, leading to a chain reaction. Many candidates who secured better seats in state quota rounds vacated those allotted through MCC, resulting in a surplus of unfilled seats.
“Delays in state counselling created a domino effect. Students who got better seats elsewhere left behind vacancies, which is why the government has had to introduce this round. It was expected,” Jain added.
Concerns Over Prolonged Counselling
While filling vacant seats is a priority, experts argue that the extended counselling process disrupts medical education timelines and adds uncertainty for aspirants.
The NEET-PG 2024 cycle has already experienced multiple reschedulings and delays. The exam, originally postponed, was conducted in August 2024, but nearly six months later, the process remains incomplete.
“Lowering the percentile was necessary to accommodate more candidates, especially for high-fee seats such as NRI (Non-Resident Indian) quotas. However, the repeated reworking of eligibility criteria and additional counselling rounds have created instability,” Jain pointed out.
According to him, prolonged counselling not only affects the academic calendar but also impacts students preparing for the next NEET-PG attempt. The uncertainty surrounding the NEET-PG 2025 exam date has further compounded aspirants’ anxieties.
Speculations on NEET-PG 2025 Postponement
Medical influencer Dr. Dhruv Chauhan has also expressed concerns regarding a possible delay in NEET-PG 2025. He took to social media, pointing out the logistical challenges of conducting the next exam as scheduled on June 15, 2025.
“They have released this notification, and the process will continue till mid-March. When the previous batch will not even begin until April, how can they conduct NEET-PG 2025 in another two months?” Chauhan questioned.
While no official announcement has been made regarding a postponement, many candidates are worried about further disruptions to their preparation and future career timelines.
Disclaimer: This article is based on available information as of March 6, 2025. Readers are advised to refer to official sources such as the MCC website for the latest updates regarding NEET-PG counselling and exam schedules.
