Thousands of doctors across India are still waiting for their postgraduate medical seats. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET PG) counselling, which helps them get admission, is facing major delays. The exam was held in August , and results were declared on August 19 . However, the counselling process has not started yet.
This delay has left many medical graduates feeling frustrated and worried about their future. The main reason for the hold-up is a case that is still pending in the Supreme Court .
Doctors Speak Out Against Delays
The issue of delayed NEET PG counselling gained attention when doctors shared their concerns online. Dr. Nachiket Bhatia, a medical aspirant, spoke about his anger on X (formerly Twitter). He said that the system "tests doctors’ patience instead of their merit." Dr. Bhatia also pointed out that these delays have become a yearly problem. He shared the feelings of many aspirants, saying there is "No timeline. No accountability. No respect" for their time and effort.
Another doctor, Dr. Sonu SM, wrote that doctors "are mocked like puppets in this distressful journey." He added that many are jobless and waiting for counselling to begin, but the National Medical Commission (NMC) seems to be inactive. Dr. Shreyansh Goyal questioned the long legal cases. He stated, "Every year, student bodies file petitions. By the time there’s a verdict, the damage is already done."
Dr. Aditya Gautam highlighted that the silence from medical organisations and the distraction of court hearings make the situation worse. He called it a "multifactorial mess," meaning many factors are causing the problem.
Impact of Repeated Delays
The NEET PG exam was planned for earlier, around June-July, but its schedule was changed. It finally took place in August . Even after the results came out on August 19 , the counselling dates are still not announced. For thousands of aspirants, every delay means losing months of potential income. It also creates uncertainty about their future jobs and adds stress to their academic plans.
Adding to these worries was a report about an alleged data leak. Last week, news came out that details of over 1.3 lakh candidates were reportedly sold online. Many aspirants believe this controversy further slowed down a process that was already behind schedule.
Demand for a Clear Schedule
Currently, there is no official update from the National Board of Examinations (NBE) about the counselling schedule. Doctors and aspirants are demanding clear timelines. They want a fixed, non-changeable calendar for the entire NEET PG cycle. This includes the exam date, result date, and final admission dates. This would help ensure that delays do not stop their academic progress year after year.
The state of Karnataka recently extended its counselling registration deadline to October 15 . This gave a small window for some candidates. However, at the national level, progress is still stalled.
The ongoing issues with NEET PG have raised serious questions about how the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the National Board of Examinations (NBE) manage postgraduate medical admissions in India. Aspirants feel that doctors dedicate their best years to medicine and deserve a predictable system. Dr. Bhatia’s call to "Respect our time" has become a strong message for change among the medical student community.
Students and parents are advised to regularly check official websites for any updates on the NEET PG counselling process.
