SC Flags Doctor Shortage, Orders Special NEET Counselling

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to hold a special round of counselling to fill vacant medical seats for NEET undergraduate courses, citing the acute shortage of doctors in India.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan emphasized the importance of ensuring that “precious medical seats should not go to waste” and allowed a final extension for the admissions process. It instructed that the remaining vacant NRI seats be converted into general category seats and filled through the respective State Admission Authorities.

“Considering the peculiar facts and circumstances, and the acute shortage of doctors, we are inclined to extend the period by way of a last chance,” the court stated. The admissions process must be completed by December 30, 2024, it added.

The bench also mandated that no college would be allowed to admit students directly, with all admissions required to go through the State Admission Authorities. It clarified that this stray or special counselling process would not affect already finalized admissions and would only consider waitlisted candidates.

The court’s decision came in response to a plea seeking special counselling rounds for medical seats that remained unfilled after five rounds of regular counselling.

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