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The Bombay High Court has extended its interim order allowing private medical colleges in Maharashtra to conduct institute-level counselling rounds to fill vacant MBBS and BDS seats after the centralized NEET UG counselling process managed by the state’s Maha CET Cell concludes. This decision follows a plea by Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) Palghar, which challenged the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) directive that prohibited individual colleges from conducting their own counselling rounds, insisting all admissions occur through an online centralized process.
Key facts:
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The ruling applies to the 2025 admission cycle and continues an interim order from the previous year.
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Approximately 451 out of 3,599 seats at private medical colleges remained vacant after NEET UG counselling in Maharashtra, versus 37 out of 4,936 government state quota seats left unfilled.
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VIMS itself reported 96 vacant seats out of 150.
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The institute-level round allows colleges to independently fill unclaimed seats after the centralized allotments.
Background:
The NMC, aiming to eliminate seat blocking and ensure transparency, mandated in 2023 that all MBBS and BDS admissions must be conducted via online centralized counselling, disallowing physical or institute-level rounds. Maharashtra’s state rules from 2016, however, provide for colleges to fill unfilled seats following centralized counselling — rules invoked by VIMS in their legal challenge.
Current status:
The Bombay High Court bench, comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Ashwin Bhobe, has allowed the institute-level counselling to proceed while the plea against the NMC directive is pending, with NMC’s response due by December 20, 2025, and a final hearing scheduled for January 8, 2026.
Implications:
The ruling offers private colleges a mechanism to reduce vacant seats and thereby potentially increase medical seat availability. However, it raises concerns about the potential for non-transparent admissions without centralized monitoring. Advocates highlight the importance of filling medical seats to address shortages in healthcare professionals.
Expert perspective:
Medical admissions experts note that institute-level rounds must still rigorously follow merit-based criteria to maintain fairness. The NMC’s insistence on centralized online counselling aims to curb malpractices like seat blocking and ensure equitable access.
Considerations:
The decision does not currently allow candidates from outside Maharashtra to apply for state quota seats during institute-level counselling, which remains a point of contention. Additionally, a related case on the NRI quota application rules is pending.
Statistical note:
India’s MBBS admissions for 2025 rely exclusively on NEET UG scores, with eligibility criteria including a minimum 50% aggregate in PCB for general candidates, and age at least 17 years by December 31, 2025.
Practical advice:
Prospective students should closely monitor counselling schedules and official notifications, understanding that some private colleges might conduct final admission rounds after the centralized NEET process ends.
Medical Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
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