New Delhi: The Supreme Court has extended the deadline for NEET UG admissions to December 30 to address the issue of vacant medical seats across the country, even after five rounds of counseling. A bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan emphasized that this is a one-time measure to ensure that valuable medical seats do not go unused in light of the nation’s shortage of doctors.
The court directed that all admissions must be conducted strictly through the state admission authorities and from the waiting list. It explicitly prohibited direct admissions by colleges. Additionally, the bench ruled that unfilled NRI quota seats should be converted to the general category to maximize the utilization of available seats.
This decision came in response to a petition filed by a group of students and medical institutions highlighting the need for a resolution to the persistent issue of unoccupied seats. The court also suggested conducting special counseling sessions to expedite the admission process and fill the remaining vacancies.
The Supreme Court’s move underscores the urgent need to address the country’s healthcare workforce shortage and ensure that no medical seat goes to waste. This extension offers a final opportunity for eligible candidates to secure their positions in medical colleges before the year ends.
