Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) delays choice-filling for NEET PG 2025 Round 1

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has indefinitely postponed the NEET PG 2025 Round 1 choice filling and locking process. The delay stems from the National Medical Commission (NMC) actively revising the postgraduate seat matrix, adding new MD/MS seats in various medical colleges while simultaneously withdrawing some DNB seats. This crucial update, necessary to ensure accurate seat allocation, has thrown the All India Quota (AIQ) schedule into temporary suspension. Aspirants must track the official MCC website for the revised schedule, expected once the final seat data is approved by the NMC. Meanwhile, many state-level counselling processes are proceeding independently.

​ Medical graduates seeking admission into coveted MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery) programs, the news from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is a source of both frustration and potential optimism. The scheduled Round 1 choice filling and locking process for NEET PG 2025 counselling has been indefinitely postponed. This temporary suspension, announced just hours before the initial deadline, is a direct result of administrative updates being carried out by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex regulatory body. The MCC has clearly stated that the delay is necessary to incorporate a revised seat matrix before proceeding with the allotment process. While this unexpected halt adds to the already protracted admission cycle, it signals an impending change in the availability of postgraduate seats, which could potentially benefit many candidates.

​Core Reason for Delay: NMC's Seat Matrix Revision

​The central point of the postponement lies squarely with the need for an accurate and updated record of available seats across all participating medical colleges. The NMC is actively making last-minute adjustments, which directly impacts the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) and 50% State Quota seats.

• ​Addition of New Seats: The NMC is in the process of adding new MD/MS seats in various government and private medical colleges. This often involves granting final approval for seat enhancement or new courses for the 2025-26 academic session. Incorporating these seats is crucial to ensure maximum benefit for the qualified candidates.
• ​Withdrawal of DNB Seats: Simultaneously, there have been instances where the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has decided to withdraw specific Diplomate of National Board (DNB) seats from the matrix due to non-compliance or procedural issues. In some reports, up to 169 DNB seats were withdrawn.
• ​Verification and Discrepancy Check: The MCC cannot proceed with the complex software-driven allocation process until the NMC provides a verified, final, and stable seat matrix. The delay ensures that there are no discrepancies or legal challenges later regarding the actual number of seats available at the time of choice locking.
• ​Ensuring Fairness: This revision, though frustrating, is ultimately necessary to ensure fairness and accuracy in the highly competitive seat allocation process, guaranteeing that candidates are allotted seats based on the most current data.

​Navigating the Temporary Suspension: State vs. Central Counselling

​While the central AIQ counselling, managed by the MCC, is currently paused, candidates must recognize that the admission landscape remains active, particularly at the state level. This requires a dual-focus strategy.

• ​MCC AIQ Counselling Status:
  • ​Registration: The initial registration and security deposit payment window may remain open or closed, but the choice filling and locking is suspended indefinitely.
  • ​Revised Schedule Awaited: Aspirants must regularly check the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) for the announcement of the revised schedule, including fresh dates for choice filling, seat processing, and result declaration.
• ​State-Level Counselling Progress:
  • ​Independent Schedules: State-level counselling for the 50% State Quota seats is proceeding largely according to individual state-wise schedules. States often have their own processes for seat matrix finalization and merit list preparation.
  • ​Active States: States like Karnataka (which has released its provisional seat matrix), Jharkhand (which released its final merit list), and others are actively conducting or finalizing their Round 1 processes.
  • ​Cautions: Candidates participating in state counselling must be mindful of the rules regarding resignation if they are later allotted a seat through the MCC AIQ, as failure to comply can lead to penalties or debarment.

​ Action Plan for Aspirants: Maximizing the Wait Period

​The period of suspension should be treated as an unexpected extension for preparation and verification, not a period for anxiety. Utilizing this time strategically is crucial for securing a desired specialisation.

• ​Refine Choice List: Use this delay to thoroughly re-evaluate and finalize your preference list of colleges and specializations. Study previous years' closing ranks for both AIQ and State Quota seats, considering the potential impact of the newly added seats.
• ​Document Verification: Ensure all necessary documents—including the NEET PG scorecard, provisional/permanent registration certificate, internship completion certificate, and category certificates—are ready, valid, and verified as per the official notification.
• ​Stay Informed via Official Channels:Strictly rely only on the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) and the official websites of your respective state counselling authorities. Avoid unverified news circulating on social media, which often fuels unnecessary panic.
• ​Prepare for Quick Action: Once the NMC finalizes the seat matrix, the MCC is expected to release the revised schedule with a short turnaround time. Be prepared to complete the choice filling and locking process immediately when the window reopens.

​Conclusion

​The temporary halt to NEET PG 2025 Round 1 counselling, while frustrating for candidates eager to secure their MD/MS seats, is a necessary procedural step to ensure the integrity of the allotment process. The delay is primarily driven by the NMC’s efforts to update and verify the national seat matrix, which promises an eventual increase in the total number of postgraduate seats. Aspirants should use this unexpected lull to perfect their college and course preference list and keep all their documentation ready. Vigilance on the official MCC portal is now the highest priority. The resumption of the process is expected soon after the NMC completes its crucial mandate.

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