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New Delhi, January 27, 2026 – In a timely intervention ahead of NEET PG counselling starting January 29, the Supreme Court of India has directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to include 49 postgraduate medical seats from Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR) in the seat matrix for the 2025-26 academic year. This ruling by Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan prioritizes student interests, preventing the wastage of these seats amid an ongoing affiliation dispute with Jamia Hamdard University.
The decision addresses uncertainty caused by Jamia Hamdard’s withheld consent of affiliation, despite HIMSR’s readiness to admit students based on NEET PG merit.
Dispute Background
The conflict traces back to a 2019 Family Settlement Deed following the 2018 death of Abdul Mueed, son of Hamdard founder Hakeem Abdul Hameed, which divided family institutions including HIMSR under the Hamdard Education Society (HES) and Jamia Hamdard. Arbitration in August 2025 ordered Jamia Hamdard to assist HIMSR with MBBS admissions legally, but tensions escalated with affiliation withdrawal in 2024 over governance and financial issues.
A December 8, 2025, executing court order mandated Jamia Hamdard to issue consent, but the Delhi High Court set it aside, ruling it exceeded arbitration scope limited to “cooperation within the law.” This left 49 MD seats—previously recognized by NMC—excluded from counselling, similar to zero MBBS seats allocated last year.
HIMSR, located in Delhi and affiliated historically with Jamia Hamdard, has faced exam disruptions and student distress from sudden changes.
Court Ruling Details
Hearing urgent petitions, the Supreme Court noted counselling for NEET PG rank-holders opens January 29, 2026, for Jamia Hamdard courses but excluded HIMSR due to missing affiliation consent. Petitioners argued for immediate inclusion to avoid seat wastage; NMC agreed to comply subject to final SLP outcome.
“We permit the students to be counseled for forty-nine PG seats in the petitioner No.3/Institute for the academic year 2025-2026,” the bench ordered, directing NMC: “The NMC is directed to include these forty-nine seats in the seat matrix of the petitioner No.3-Institute so that the counseling of the eligible candidates could take place.” The court emphasized: “as many as forty-nine PG seats… will go waste if unfilled.”
This interim relief safeguards merit-based admissions without prejudice to ongoing litigation.
Broader Context of PG Seat Challenges
India’s PG medical seats have surged—from about 18,000 in 2014 to over 43,000 by 2025, a 143% rise—via schemes like PMSSY and hospital upgrades, yet demand outpaces supply with over 2 lakh NEET PG aspirants annually. NEET PG 2025 counselling, managed by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), faced delays; rounds 1-3 occurred October-December 2025, with stray vacancy rounds into January 2026.
States like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu lead expansions, but disputes like HIMSR’s highlight affiliation hurdles under NMC oversight. NMC withdrew HIMSR seats based on Jamia Hamdard’s letters, underscoring regulatory reliance on university approvals.
Public Health Implications
Adding these 49 MD seats—likely in specialties like medicine and surgery—bolsters specialist training amid India’s 1:1455 doctor-patient ratio (WHO ideal: 1:1000). Post-MBBS, PG doctors staff district hospitals, addressing rural shortages; wasted seats exacerbate urban-rural divides.
For aspirants, especially from reserved categories, this means more choices in Delhi, a hub for clinical exposure. Nationally, it supports goals like 50,000 new PG seats via government schemes. HIMSR’s 300-bed hospital provides hands-on training, aiding “One Health” initiatives.
Limitations and Concerns
The order is interim, tied to SLP resolution; Jamia Hamdard contests, citing UGC/NMC objections and governance lapses. Potential reversals could displace admitted students, mirroring MBBS issues.
Critics worry about rushed inclusions risking quality, though NMC’s matrix update implies compliance checks. Broader reforms—like NMC’s phydigital models—aim to balance growth with standards.
Practical Advice for Aspirants
NEET PG candidates should monitor MCC website for updated seat matrix post-January 29 counselling. Verify eligibility via NEET scores; prioritize choices amid volatility. Colleges like HIMSR offer strong faculty, but confirm infrastructure via NMC portal. Future doctors: Focus on merit while advocating for policy stability.
This development underscores tensions between expansion and regulation, vital for India’s healthcare workforce.
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References
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Medical Dialogues. “Supreme Court directs NMC to include 49 HIMSR PG medical seats in NEET PG counselling 2025.” January 27, 2026. https://medicaldialogues.in/news/education/medical-admissions/supreme-court-directs-nmc-to-include-49-himsr-pg-medical-seats-in-neet-pg-counselling-2025-163462[livelaw]
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.
