NMC approves only 247 out of 800 requested additional PG (MD/MS) seats in Gujarat, sparking appeals from state colleges

The Gujarat Health Department is in a tight race to salvage hundreds of postgraduate medical seats after the National Medical Commission (NMC) approved only 247 seats across 14 Government and Semi-Government colleges for NEET PG 2025. Citing resource capacity, the state has formally directed college deans to file appeals before the Apex Medical Commission. The colleges have complied, paying the mandatory appeal fee of ₹50,000 per subject. This high-stakes appeal aims to drastically increase the available MD/MS seats in the Gujarat State Quota, potentially shifting the cutoff ranks for thousands of aspirants.

The annual postgraduate medical admission process in Gujarat has encountered a significant hurdle in the form of limited seat approvals from the National Medical Commission (NMC). Despite the state's efforts to expand its capacity in response to the growing number of NEET PG 2025 qualified candidates, the NMC's initial assessment granted permission for only a meager 247 new seats across 14 Government and Semi-Government medical colleges. This approval fell substantially short of the state's expectations and its requirement for specialized medical manpower.

​Recognizing the severity of the shortage and the potential impact on healthcare service delivery, the Gujarat Health Department has swiftly mobilized. They have issued formal directions to the Deans of all affected medical colleges, instructing them to file immediate appeals against the NMC's provisional decision. The colleges have already acted, submitting their formal appeals by depositing the requisite fee of ₹50,000 per subject challenged. This collaborative effort signals a decisive push by the state to challenge the central regulatory body and reclaim hundreds of much-needed MD/MS seats into the Gujarat State Quota pool before the first round of counselling is finalized.

​ The Deficit and The Appeal Mechanism

​The current crisis stems from a mismatch between the infrastructure assessment conducted by the NMC's Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) and the capacity claims made by the state colleges. The appeal process is the final administrative remedy available to the state.

• ​Limited Initial Approval: The NMC granted provisional approval for only 247 seats. Considering that Gujarat has an existing PG seat pool of approximately 2,910 total MD/MS seats (with around 2,186 in Government/Semi-Government colleges), the rejected number of seats is substantial and threatens to severely limit options for high-merit candidates in competitive branches.
• ​The Appeal Fee and Compliance: Colleges have adhered to the strict procedural requirements set by the NMC for challenging a provisional decision. 
  • ​The fee paid—₹50,000 per subject/specialty—is a non-refundable statutory requirement to activate the First Appeal process under the NMC Act, 2019. This suggests the colleges are appealing decisions across multiple clinical and non-clinical departments (e.g., General Medicine, Surgery, and Anatomy).
  • ​The appeal must be accompanied by detailed documentation of compliance, including proof of adequate faculty (as per NMC's Teachers Eligibility Qualifications), infrastructure, and equipment, which the initial NMC inspection might have flagged as deficient.
• ​Awaiting Apex Body Review: The appeals are now under review by the higher echelons of the NMC. The state hopes that by quickly addressing the alleged deficiencies with comprehensive evidence, the remaining seats can be sanctioned and incorporated into the Gujarat State Counselling (ACPPGMEC) before the second round.

​ Impact on Gujarat NEET PG 2025 Cutoffs

​The outcome of the colleges' appeal will have a direct and significant bearing on the NEET PG 2025 merit ranks required to secure a seat in Gujarat's Government and Semi-Government colleges.

• ​Potential Cutoff Relief: If the NMC reverses its decision and grants approval for a significant number of the appealed seats (potentially hundreds), it would lead to a crucial expansion of the State Quota (GQ) seat matrix. 
  • ​An increase in seats directly translates to a fall in the closing ranks, offering relief to candidates with lower but still competitive NEET PG scores. This would particularly ease the pressure on top-tier colleges like B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, and Medical College, Baroda.
• ​Urgency for Aspirants: Aspirants who find themselves on the borderline of the expected Round 1 cutoff must track this development closely. If the appeals are successful, these new seats will likely be incorporated into Round 2 (or the Mop-Up Round) of the Gujarat counselling process.
• ​Influence on Choice Filling: While the appeal is pending, candidates participating in the Round 1 choice filling must operate on the current, lower seat count. If the seats are added later, candidates who miss an allotment in Round 1 may get a chance in Round 2. Strategic candidates should keep high-preference, currently unavailable seats in mind for the possibility of a Round 2 inclusion.

​ Institutions and The Broader Seat Picture

​The effort to increase seats impacts some of the most sought-after medical training centres in Gujarat, which are instrumental in training future specialists for the state's healthcare system.

• ​Colleges Involved: The 14 Government and Semi-Government colleges involved include institutions under the Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society (GMERS) and other prominent Government colleges. These institutions collectively account for the vast majority of subsidized State Quota PG seats.
• ​Importance of Government Seats: The existing 2,186 Government seats are highly valued due to their nominal tuition fees and excellent clinical exposure. Every seat added via a successful appeal directly benefits a meritorious candidate who might otherwise be forced to opt for a Private Management Quota seat with fees often exceeding ₹15 Lakhs per annum.
• ​Transparency from ACPPGMEC: The Admission Committee for Professional Postgraduate Medical Courses (ACPPGMEC), which conducts the counselling, will be responsible for releasing an updated seat matrix as soon as the final decision from the NMC's appeal review is received. Aspirants must monitor the official website, medadmgujarat.org, for all official updates.

​Conclusion

​The appeal filed by the 14 Gujarat Medical Colleges to the NMC over the limited PG seat approvals is a high-stakes administrative maneuver with immediate implications for the NEET PG 2025 counselling. This concerted effort by the Gujarat Health Department seeks to significantly expand the State Quota seat pool, potentially offering hundreds of additional training slots to deserving candidates. Aspirants are advised to remain patient and monitor the official NMC and ACPPGMEC websites for the outcome, which could critically influence the final cutoff ranks in the upcoming rounds.

For regular updates follow Only Education News. For more details on medical entrance exams and courses, check here: Medical Exams List.