NEET PG Counselling 2024 delayed: IMA seeks Health Ministry's urgent attention

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has reached out to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, expressing concerns and highlighting the uncertainty stemming from the delay in the NEET PG 2024 counselling process, which is currently on hold due to an ongoing case in the Supreme Court.

In Short

• IMA raises concerns over NEET PG 2024 counselling delays amid Supreme Court case
• NEET PG aspirants face distress due to uncertainty in the counselling process
• State committees struggle with incentive marks due to non-disclosure of scores

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) appealed to the government to consider interim solutions that would allow the NEET PG 2024 counselling process to start while ensuring the welfare of both students and the healthcare system.

In a letter to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, the IMA highlighted the increasing concerns and uncertainty stemming from the delay in the counselling process, which has been stalled due to an ongoing case in the Supreme Court.

"The delay in the counselling process is causing immense distress to thousands of NEET PG aspirants across the country," the doctors' body said.

In its letter, the IMA emphasised that candidates who have worked diligently to secure postgraduate medical seats face prolonged uncertainty about their futures due to the ongoing judicial proceedings.

The delay also affects the functioning of healthcare institutions, as the timely induction of postgraduate students is essential to maintaining the availability of medical professionals in hospitals and medical colleges.

While the IMA fully respects the judicial process and the need for legal clarity, it urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to intervene and explore potential solutions to ensure students' academic and professional prospects are not compromised.

The IMA warned that the prolonged delay could cause major disruptions to the academic calendar, impacting the training and deployment of specialist doctors at a time when the healthcare system is already under strain. It also pointed out that several state counselling committees are facing uncertainty regarding the awarding of incentive marks to in-service candidates due to the non-disclosure of scores this year, which poses another potential obstacle to the counselling process.

Also, the IMA urged the authorities to release a normalised score to facilitate the smooth conduct of state quota counselling.

"We, therefore, humbly request the Ministry to engage with the authorities concerned, including the Supreme Court, to find a way to expedite the resolution of the case," the letter said.

The letter called on the government to consider taking interim steps, if needed, to start the counselling process, emphasising the importance of safeguarding the interests of both students and the healthcare system.

(With inputs from PTI)