As the academic year 2025-26 looms, thousands of medical graduates across India are caught in a web of uncertainty surrounding the NEET PG 2025 counseling process. What was expected to be a streamlined pathway to postgraduate seats in MD, MS, and diploma courses has devolved into a saga of delays, allegations of a massive data leak, and protracted legal battles in the Supreme Court. With the next hearing slated for October 28, aspirants are voicing frustration over stalled admissions, potential career disruptions, and eroding trust in the system.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), saw its results declared on August 19 – over a month ago. Yet, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), responsible for the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, has yet to release the official schedule on mcc.nic.in.
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) had anticipated a mid-October start, but as of today, silence prevails, pushing the timeline beyond last year’s pace and heightening anxiety among over 2 lakh candidates.
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Roots of the Delay: Courtroom Stalemate and Administrative Hurdles
The primary culprit? A series of Supreme Court petitions demanding greater transparency in the exam process. Aspirants have challenged NBEMS’s decision to release only question IDs alongside answer keys and response sheets, arguing it renders verification “meaningless” and violates constitutional rights under Articles 14 (equality) and 21 (right to life and liberty).
“Answers without questions hold no value,” petitioners contended during an early September hearing, where the bench—comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan – questioned the motives: “Why do you think there is no transparency? Is it because you got less marks?”
Subsequent hearings have been a game of musical dates. Initially slated for early September, the matter was deferred multiple times – first to September 12, then September 23, September 26, and now October 28 – granting NBEMS extensions to file comprehensive responses.
The court has also rejected pleas to halt counseling outright, emphasizing urgency due to the impending admissions cycle.
Compounding this is the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) pending approval of the seat matrix – a critical step for finalizing available spots across government and private institutions.
“The delay stems from continuous postponements of SC hearings and the ongoing tussle between NBE and students,” NMC sources told Shiksha.com, leaving MCC in a holding pattern.
Meanwhile, some states like Telangana (via KNRUHS), Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka have kicked off their quota counseling, creating a patchwork of progress that only amplifies the national limbo.
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The Data Leak Bombshell: Aspirants in ‘Shock’
Just as hopes flickered for a mid-October MCC announcement, a fresh controversy erupted: allegations of a widespread data leak exposing sensitive details of NEET PG aspirants. Doctors and candidates claim personal information—including contact details, scores, and application data – has been circulating on social media and WhatsApp groups, potentially compromising privacy and enabling fraud.
NBEMS has pushed back, stating the breach likely occurred “beyond its reach” after data was shared with state counseling committees for admissions.
“We share information as required, but security post-transfer is out of our control,” an NBEMS spokesperson remarked, adding that the board is investigating while urging candidates to report suspicious activity. Aspirants, however, are unconvinced. “This is the final straw – first opacity in results, now our data in the wild,” fumed Dr. Priya Sharma, a Delhi-based candidate, in a viral social media post. FAIMA has demanded immediate accountability, including a forensic audit and compensation for affected students.
The leak has broader implications in an era of rising cyber threats to education systems. Experts warn it could deter future applicants and invite scams, with one analyst estimating risks to thousands of profiles harvested for phishing or identity theft.
Aspirants’ Plight: Careers on Hold, Calls for Reform
For the 2.4 lakh who appeared in the August exam, the wait is excruciating. “We’ve invested years, lakhs in coaching—now our futures dangle on court dates,” shared aspirant Rahul Mehta from Mumbai. The ripple effects are stark: delayed internships, financial strain from prolonged preparations, and mental health tolls amid burnout. Student groups like the United Doctors Front (UDF) have escalated protests, urging the government to intervene with interim guidelines.
Legal voices echo this urgency. “Timely adjudication is vital to uphold the exam’s credibility; further delays could cascade into a disrupted admissions cycle affecting national healthcare training,” noted a senior advocate familiar with the case.
Amid this, positive notes include NBEMS’s release of withheld results in batches (Lot 2 in late September) and the Union Cabinet’s approval for expanding PG seats, signaling long-term growth.
Looking Ahead: October 28 as a Turning Point?
As the Supreme Court reconvenes on October 28, all eyes are on whether it will mandate full question paper disclosure, fast-track counseling, or address the data breach. MCC has hinted at a schedule “soon,” but without judicial clarity, skepticism lingers.
For now, aspirants are advised to monitor mcc.nic.in and nbems.edu.in, prepare documents (provisional allotment letters, ID proofs, category certificates), and explore state quotas as backups. FAIMA’s plea to the Health Ministry underscores a broader cry: “Prioritize students over procedure.”
In the high-stakes world of medical education, where every day counts toward saving lives, this impasse isn’t just administrative – it’s a test of the system’s resilience. Will October 28 bring relief, or more deferrals? For India’s future doctors, the clock is ticking louder than ever.