Gen med tops NEET-PG choices among first 100

Gen med tops NEET-PG choices among first 100 

28.10.2026 TIMES AHAMEDABAD 

New Delhi: General medicine accounted for more allotments than radiodiagnosis among top entries in the first round of NEET-PG 2026 counselling, highlighting the competing career attractions of the two sought-after PG specialties, reports Anuja Jaiswal. 

An analysis of Medical Counselling Committee’s Round 1 allotment list shows 51 allotments in general medicine as against 28 in radiodiagnosis among the first 100 entries. 

Dermatology was a distant third with six allotments, while paediatrics and general surgery had three each. Doctors say the choices reflect different career priorities. Radiology attracts candidates because of its good work-life balance

TN yet to release PG medical rank list even as nat’l counselling moves ahead

TN yet to release PG medical rank list even as nat’l counselling moves ahead 

28.10.2026 TIMES CHENNAI

Chennai: The state selection committee has not yet published the provisional rank list for postgraduate medical degree and diploma admissions, although the Centre’s Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has completed the first round of all-India counselling. MCC completed Round 1 on Oct 24, and candidates have until Nov 2 to join their allotted colleges. 

States were scheduled to hold their first round between Oct 21 and Nov 2, with Nov 10 as the last date for joining. NEET PG 2026 was held on Aug 30, and the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences declared the results on Sept 24. 

The state committee has published the prospectus and closed applications for PG degree and diploma courses. “We are scrutinising more than 12,000 applications. Every application is verified. The grievance portal is now open for correction and reverification. The rank list will be released once this process is complete. It will take a few days,” said selection committee secretary Dr V Lokanayaki. 

If the rank list is released on Oct 29, candidates will have a few days to lock their options on the portal, and the process will be completed by Nov 2, officials said. The delay has left candidates uncertain. Those with all-India seats must decide whether to join before they know their state rank. “In PG, there is preference for course and institution. Candidates need time to decide what they want to choose because the course decides what they will do for the rest of their lives,” said a govt doctor waiting for admission.

191 MBBS seats vacant after record 7 counselling rounds

191 MBBS seats vacant after record 7 counselling rounds 

Colleges Reduce Fees; State Seeks Relaxation In Eligibility

Sruthysusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 27.10.2026

Bengaluru: In a first in the past five years, as many as 191 seats in Karnataka’s medical colleges have remained vacant, with counselling drawing to a close Monday night. Not a single medical seat was vacant in Karnataka in the past five years. This year, all BDS seats have been filled. 

Multiple efforts have been simultaneously launched in a bid to fill these management seats. The directorate of medical education (DME) has written to National Medical Commission to lower the entry barrier so that candidates get a chance to pick a seat; colleges are offering deep discounts to sweeten the deal; and Karnataka Examinations Authority has called for a last-minute round, asking students to enter options by 5pm and report to colleges by 6pm. 

With this, seven rounds of counselling were conducted. After the second stray vacancy round Sunday, a total of 273 medical seats remained vacant. KEA conducted two different rounds Monday, where 84 medical seats were allotted. In the morning round, 62 medical and six dental seats were allotted. In the evening round, 22 medical and five dental seats were allotted, he said. 

In recent years, “this is the first time that allotments have been carried out across so many rounds”, said KEA executive director H Prasanna. “If Medical Counselling Committee grants further permission to fill the remaining vacant seats, KEA will conduct additional rounds of counselling and allot the seats accordingly,” he added. 

An often-overlooked key factor for sluggish uptake is that NRI quota was introduced in govt colleges last year. Fees in govt colleges are way cheaper than in private colleges. Karnataka has the highest number of MBBS seats in the country, with 15,395 on offer.

In 2024, there were 9,282 seats in 65 colleges. In 2025, it rose to 10,559 in 66 colleges. With the govt planning to establish one medical college in every district, there are high chances the state will add more seats in the near future. 

Sujatha Rathod, director of medical education, said the cut-off percentile now is 50. “We’ve requested NMC to pare the percentile by a few points so that more students could make the  cut,” she said, adding they sent a letter in this regard on Thursday.

Every seat unfilled is lakhs of revenue lost. Many colleges are now offering seats for about Rs 80 lakh for 4.5 years, including hostel fees, much lower than what’s communicated to KEA at the beginning of admissions. Also, govt colleges offer NRI seats at Rs 25 lakh per annum. “It’s clear a large number of management seats would go vacant this year unless qualifying cutoff marks are lowered,” said Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje, founder, National Pre University Students, Parents and Teachers Association. “Medical colleges run on NRI fees. It makes up for subsidised fees of the other categories. It is important for colleges to have this category filled up,” said the owner of a medical college. 

While many seats came into the pool late, high fees for management quota is a deterrent. “Also, this generation is very particular about colleges they pick and they usually go by popular opinion,” added the DME. NRI quota in govt colleges is a story in itself. For instance, some 105 seats in 14 colleges are available at Rs 25 lakh per annum against nearly Rs 40 lakh per annum in private institutes. 

The NRI fee at MS Ramaiah Medical College, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, and Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research is prohibitively high. Some 24 lakh write entrance test for 1.4 lakh seats. “While the cream gets government seats, the rest of the students cannot afford a management-quota seat,” said Bhagavan BC, vice chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, the umbrella university for all medical-related programmes. “We’ve no control over the management-quota free matrix. At best, we’ve been recommending private colleges to reduce fees,” he added. 

Cardiologists conference held in city

Cardiologists conference held in city 

21.10.2026

Chennai: About 350 cardiologists from India and abroad attended an interventional cardiology conference organised by Promed Hospital in association with Chip-Cto over the weekend. 

The conference, inaugurated by school education minister A Rajmohan, had doctors from Japan, the US and Australia lead the faculty panel. Doctors in Canada, Saudi Arabia and the UK beamed live procedures into the hall. 

Sessions covered torn arteries, valve replacement and cardiac shock. Doctors practised with devices at a training village. “Complications in angioplasty are uncommon, but they will happen to every cardiologist. This will prepare them for that,” said Dr Arun Kalyanasundaram, the organising chairman. TNN

NMC withdraws medical education regulations: What colleges need to know

NMC withdraws medical education regulations: What colleges need to know

The NMC has withdrawn its 2023 medical education standards regulations with immediate effect, retaining mandatory Annual Disclosure Reports.

Existing approvals remain valid, while pending and fresh cases will follow the applicable legal framework.

NMC medical education rules: Commission scraps 2023 regulations, ADR filing remains mandatory

By:India Today Education Desk

New Delhi,Oct 18, 2026 15:30 IST

The National Medical Commission, NMC, has scrapped its 2023 regulations on maintaining standards in medical education, but medical colleges will still have to file Annual Disclosure Reports (ADRs) as required by law.

The decision was announced in a notification dated October 14 and published in the Gazette of India. The regulations, which came into force following their notification on September 19, 2023, and publication in the official gazette on September 21, 2023, have now been withdrawn with immediate effect.

Issued under Sections 10, 24, 25 and 57 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the notification also explains how existing approvals, legal obligations and pending regulatory matters will be handled following the withdrawal.

NMC WITHDRAWS 2023 RULES: WHAT DOES THE NOTIFICATION SAY?

The commission has not specified a separate reason for withdrawing the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023.

However, the notification makes clear that the decision will not retrospectively cancel actions taken while the regulations were in force. Approvals, renewals, orders, decisions and directions issued under the earlier framework will continue to remain valid.

Similarly, rights and privileges already acquired, along with obligations and liabilities incurred before the withdrawal, will not automatically cease to exist. These provisions establish that the removal of the regulations does not, by itself, reverse earlier regulatory decisions or extinguish existing legal responsibilities.

Despite the withdrawal, medical colleges and other medical institutions must continue submitting Annual Disclosure Reports under the applicable legal framework.

"The requirement of furnishing the Annual Disclosure Report (ADR) shall continue to operate in accordance with Section 24(i) and 25(h) of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and the regulations applicable from time to time," the notification stated.

ADRs form part of the statutory disclosure requirements applicable to medical institutions. The latest notification does not exempt colleges from these obligations. Institutions must therefore continue to follow the reporting requirements prescribed under the provisions currently in force.

For medical colleges, this means that the withdrawal of the 2023 regulations should not be interpreted as the end of their mandatory disclosure responsibilities.

HOW WILL PENDING NMC CASES AND APPLICATIONS BE HANDLED?

The notification also sets out how regulatory matters already underway will be treated.

Applications, appeals, inquiries, proceedings and other pending matters may continue to be dealt with under the withdrawn 2023 regulations, wherever applicable and in accordance with the conditions specified in the notification.

Matters arising after the date of withdrawal, meanwhile, will be governed by the NMC Act, 2019, and the statutory or regulatory provisions applicable at the time.

The distinction provides continuity for certain matters initiated under the earlier rules while establishing the legal framework for cases arising after their withdrawal.

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Medical institutions with pending applications or proceedings will need to refer to the notification and the relevant provisions to determine how their individual cases are affected.

WHAT MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS NEED TO KNOW

The withdrawal changes the regulatory framework under which medical education standards were governed, but it does not automatically invalidate earlier approvals or remove existing statutory obligations.

Medical colleges must continue filing Annual Disclosure Reports and comply with the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to them. The status of pending cases will depend on the transitional provisions set out in the NMC notification.

The National Medical Commission is the statutory authority responsible for regulating medical education and the medical profession in India. Its latest notification clarifies the consequences of withdrawing the 2023 regulations while preserving the treatment of specified earlier decisions and pending matters.

(With inputs from PTI)

CORRIGENDUM Subject: Corrigendum regarding NRI documents to be submitted by candidates for Round-1 of PG Counselling 2026

Ref. U-12021/ 09/2026-MEC GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF HEALTH SERVICES , NEW DELHI-110108 

Dated: 14.10.2026 

CORRIGENDUM Subject: Corrigendum regarding NRI documents to be submitted by candidates for Round-1 of PG Counselling 2026 

Kind Attention Candidates: Reference is made to the NRI Chapter of PG Information Bulletin regarding documents to be submitted for claim of NRI seat. In this regard, it is informed that in addition to documents stated in the NRI chapter, candidates belonging to Category-I (NRI Candidate/ Parents/ Real Brother/ Real Sister) and Category IV (Indian to NRI ) are required to submit Valid Passport of Parents/ Real Brother/ Real Sister/ Sponsor for registration and verification. 

Notice posted on: 14.10.2026

Amid empty seats, govt slashes dental PG cut-off

Amid empty seats, govt slashes dental PG cut-off 

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 17.10.2026

New Delhi: For the third straight year, govt has lowered the qualifying cut-off for NEETMDS for the third consecutive year. The qualifying percentile for NEET-MDS 2026 has been reduced by 20.576 percentage points across categories, following reductions of 19.863 perc‐ entage points in 2025 and 21.692 percentage points in 2024. A senior health ministry official estimated that around 1,200 MDS seats remained vacant nationwide. The official said state-wise vacancy figures were not available and said the estimate was based on division of seats between all-India quota, which accounts for 50%, and state counselling, which covers the remaining 50%. 

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has listed 460 clear vacancies and 762 virtual vacancies for Round 2 of counselling this year. The seats are spread across govt and private institutions, which account for 7,716 seats in 287 colleges. Of these, 46 govt colleges have 1,103 seats, while 241 private colleges account for 6,613. Virtual vacancies are not confirmed vacancies as these seats are currently allotted to candidates who may opt for upgradation. If they move to another seat, their existing seats could become available for allotment to other candidates. 

The General/EWS qualifying score has been reduced from 308 to 234 out of 960, while General-PwBD score has fallen from 289 to 218 and SC/ST/OBC score from 271 to 200. In 2025, the respective scores were reduced from 261 to 197, 244 to 182 and 227 to 168. National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences said the 2026 revision followed a letter from the ministry dated Oct 12 and was made under the MDS regulations. The notice did not explicitly state that vacant seats had prompted the decision. The NEETMDS 2026 results were declared on June 2.

NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Complete Timeline and Key Dates

NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Complete Timeline and Key Dates

https://medadmit.in/updates/neet-pg-counselling-2026-round-1-registration-nri-quota-documents

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced that registration for NEET PG Round 1 counselling will open on October 12, 2026. This is a critical window for all MBBS graduates who have cleared the NEET-PG exam and are preparing to secure a postgraduate seat in MD, MS, PG Diploma, or DNB programmes across India. Alongside regular Indian candidates, the MCC has also detailed the specific eligibility criteria and document requirements for candidates applying under the NRI (Non-Resident Indian) quota. Understanding these requirements now will help you prepare your application smoothly and avoid delays during the counselling process.

NEET PG Round 1 registration opens October 12, 2026; NRI candidates must submit category-specific documents during registration, with a document verification process and correction window built into the timeline.

The MCC has released the full schedule for NEET PG Round 1 counselling, which will run from October 12 to November 2, 2026. Registration and fee payment will occur from October 12 to 21, while choice filling and locking will run concurrently from October 13 to 22. This overlap means you can begin selecting your preferred colleges and specialities even as the registration window remains open, giving you flexibility to refine your choices as you gather information.

The allotment process will take place on October 22 and 23, with results announced on October 24. Candidates who receive a seat allocation will then have until November 2 to report to their allotted college. This compressed timeline underscores the importance of having all documents ready before October 12, as delays in verification could cost you the opportunity to lock in your choices during the choice-filling window.Registration and fee payment: October 12–21, 2026

Choice filling and locking: October 13–22, 2026

Allotment process: October 22–23, 2026

Seat allotment result: October 24, 2026

Reporting to colleges: October 26 – November 2, 2026

Who Is Eligible for NRI Quota Admissions in NEET PG?

The NRI quota in NEET PG is open to candidates who meet specific residency and relationship criteria. If either of your parents is an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) and residing abroad, you qualify for NRI quota admission. Similarly, if a first-degree relative—defined as a real brother or sister, or a parent—is an NRI and residing abroad, you are eligible. This definition is important because it clarifies that only blood relations count; in-laws or extended family do not qualify.

Additionally, candidates who initially registered as Indian during the NEET-PG exam but now wish to apply under the NRI category are permitted to do so during counselling registration. This flexibility is valuable for candidates whose family circumstances may have changed or who did not initially realize they were eligible for the NRI quota. However, such category conversion requires submission of additional documentation and verification by the MCC's Document Verification Committee (DVC).

One or both parents are NRI and residing abroad

Real brother or sister is NRI and residing abroad

Candidates can convert from Indian to NRI category during counselling registration

NRI Category I: Standard NRI, Parent, Sibling, or Relative Applicants

Category I is the most common NRI quota pathway and applies to candidates whose parent, real brother, or real sister is an NRI. To apply under this category, you must submit a comprehensive set of documents that establish your educational history, medical qualifications, and the NRI status of your sponsor. The documents begin with your Date of Birth Certificate and extend through your 10th and 12th mark sheets, along with equivalence certificates from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) if your schooling was outside India.

Your MBBS examination mark sheets from all three professional years are mandatory. If you completed your MBBS outside India, you must also provide your FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) scorecard. Your NEET-PG scorecard issued by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) is essential, as is a valid passport. Critically, you must obtain an NRI Certificate from the competent authority—either the Indian Embassy or an Indian Consulate in the country where your sponsor resides. This certificate is the official proof of NRI status and cannot be substituted.

Finally, you must submit a notarised affidavit on Rs 100 stamp paper from your NRI sponsor (parent, brother, or sister) confirming their commitment to fund your entire course fees and living expenses during your postgraduate studies. 

This affidavit must be supported by bank account documentation—specifically, an NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) Bank Account Passbook showing the sponsor's financial capacity. 

A revenue authority officer (Tehsildar, Patwari, or Government Officer in the Revenue Department) must also verify your relationship to the sponsor.

Date of Birth Certificate

10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)

MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets

FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)

NEET-PG scorecard from NBE

Valid passport

NRI Certificate from Embassy or Indian Consulate

Notarised affidavit (Rs 100 stamp paper) from NRI sponsor confirming financial support

NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook of sponsor

Relationship verification by revenue authority officer

NRI Category II: OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Applicants

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) form a distinct category within the NRI quota. OCI status is granted to foreign nationals of Indian origin or their descendants who wish to maintain a connection with India. If you hold an OCI card, you can apply for NEET PG postgraduate seats under this category. The document requirements for OCI applicants are similar to Category I in most respects but differ in one critical way: instead of an NRI Certificate and a sponsorship affidavit, you must submit your valid OCI Card.

Like Category I applicants, you must provide your 

Date of Birth Certificate, 

10th and 12th mark sheets (with AIU equivalence certificates if applicable), 

MBBS examination mark sheets from all three years,

FMGE scorecard (if your MBBS was outside India), 

NEET-PG scorecard, and a valid passport. 

The OCI Card itself serves as proof of your eligibility and status, eliminating the need for an Embassy certificate or sponsorship documentation. This streamlined requirement reflects the fact that OCI status is already a recognized legal status granted by the Government of India.

Date of Birth Certificate

10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)

MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets

FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)

NEET-PG scorecard from NBE

Valid passport

Valid Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card

NRI Category III: Foreign National Applicants

Foreign nationals who have completed their MBBS in India or abroad and have qualified in NEET-PG can also apply for NRI quota seats. This category is designed for candidates who hold citizenship of a country other than India and do not hold OCI status. The document requirements are largely identical to those for OCI applicants, with one key difference: instead of an OCI Card, you must submit your citizenship certificate along with your foreign passport.

All other documentation—

Date of Birth Certificate, 

10th and 12th mark sheets, 

MBBS examination mark sheets, 

FMGE scorecard if applicable, and NEET-PG scorecard—remains the same. 

The citizenship certificate serves as proof of your nationality and is typically issued by the government of your country of citizenship. This category ensures that international medical graduates who have qualified through NEET-PG have a clear pathway to postgraduate medical education in India.

Date of Birth Certificate

10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)

MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets

FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)

NEET-PG scorecard from NBE

Valid foreign passport

Citizenship certificate

NRI Category IV: Indian Candidates Converting to NRI Status During Counselling

Some candidates register for NEET-PG as Indian citizens but later discover they are eligible for the NRI quota—for example, if a parent recently obtained NRI status or if they were unaware of their eligibility at the time of exam registration. The MCC permits such candidates to convert their category from Indian to NRI during the counselling registration phase. This conversion requires submission of all standard educational and examination documents, plus proof of NRI status and sponsorship.

In addition to the documents required for Category I applicants, candidates converting from Indian to NRI must provide evidence of guardianship if they claim sponsorship by a legal guardian rather than a parent or sibling. 

This evidence might include school or college fee receipts showing payment by the claimed guardian, educational records reflecting the guardian's involvement, bank or payment records evidencing financial support, or other relevant documentation establishing that the person has genuinely cared for and supported the candidate for the required period. 

A notarised affidavit from the guardian is also mandatory, confirming their commitment to sponsor the entire course and living expenses, supported by NRE/NRO Bank Account documentation.

Date of Birth Certificate

10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)

MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets

FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)

NEET-PG scorecard from NBE

Valid passport

NRI Certificate from Embassy or Indian Consulate

Notarised affidavit from NRI sponsor or legal guardian (Rs 100 stamp paper)

NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook of sponsor

Documentary evidence of guardianship (fee receipts, educational records, bank statements, etc.)

Relationship verification by revenue authority officer

Step-by-Step Process for NRI Document Submission and Category Verification

The MCC has established a structured 10-step process to ensure transparent and fair verification of NRI documents. The process begins when you select the NRI quota during registration on the MCC portal on October 12. If you initially registered as Indian during the NEET-PG exam but now wish to apply as NRI, you must still select the NRI option at this stage. Next, you will select your specific NRI subcategory (Category I, II, III, or IV) based on your eligibility.

You will then upload all supporting documents as scanned copies through the MCC portal during registration. The MCC's Document Verification Committee will scrutinise these documents online. If discrepancies or deficiencies are found—such as missing pages, unclear scans, or incomplete information—the committee will raise a document discrepancy query. You will be notified of any issues via SMS and email, and a correction window will be provided to resolve the query within a stipulated timeframe. During this window, you can edit, modify, or resubmit corrected documents online.

Once all documents are found to be in order, your category will be converted from Indian to NRI (if applicable), and you will become eligible to access the NRI category seat list and select NRI quota seats during choice filling. 

Importantly, if you are unable to produce required documents within the correction window during Round 1, you can still participate in Round 2 counselling, giving you a second opportunity to submit and verify your documents.

Step 1: Select NRI quota during registration on MCC portal

Step 2: Select your NRI subcategory (I, II, III, or IV)

Step 3: Upload all supporting documents as scanned copies

Step 4: MCC Document Verification Committee reviews documents online

Step 5: Committee raises discrepancy query if issues are found

Step 6: Candidate notified via SMS and email of discrepancies

Step 7: Correction window provided to resolve issues and resubmit documents

Step 8: Category converted to NRI once all documents are verified

Step 9: Candidate becomes eligible to access NRI seat list and select choices

Step 10: Candidates unable to complete verification in Round 1 can participate in Round 2

Practical Checklist: What NRI Candidates Must Do Before October 12

To ensure a smooth registration and verification process, begin preparing your documents immediately. Gather all original certificates and mark sheets, and arrange for certified scans or digital copies. If any of your educational documents are from outside India, obtain equivalence certificates from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) well in advance, as this process can take time. If your MBBS was completed outside India, ensure you have your FMGE scorecard. Verify that your passport is valid and will remain valid throughout your postgraduate course.

If you are applying under Category I, contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your sponsor's country of residence to obtain the NRI Certificate. This is a critical document and should not be delayed.

Prepare the notarised affidavit from your NRI sponsor on Rs 100 stamp paper, and gather the NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook pages showing the sponsor's financial capacity. If you are converting from Indian to NRI status, collect all guardianship evidence (fee receipts, educational records, bank statements) and arrange for relationship verification by a revenue authority officer. Finally, ensure all documents are scanned clearly in PDF or JPG format, as poor-quality scans may be rejected during verification.Gather and certify all educational mark sheets and certificates

Obtain AIU equivalence certificates for education completed outside India

Secure FMGE scorecard if MBBS was outside India

Verify passport validity

Obtain NRI Certificate from Embassy/Consulate (Category I applicants)

Prepare notarised affidavit from NRI sponsor on Rs 100 stamp paper

Collect NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook pages

Gather guardianship evidence if converting from Indian to NRI

Arrange relationship verification by revenue authority officer

Scan all documents clearly in PDF or JPG format

Why This Matters for Your NEET PG Admission Journey

The NRI quota represents a significant pathway for eligible candidates to secure postgraduate medical seats in India. For MBBS graduates with NRI family connections, this quota often offers competitive advantages in terms of seat availability and choice options. However, the document verification process is rigorous, and incomplete or incorrect submissions can delay your category conversion and limit your ability to select from the full range of available seats during choice filling.

Understanding the specific requirements for your NRI category now—before registration opens—allows you to prepare methodically and avoid last-minute scrambling. The MCC's structured verification process, while thorough, includes a correction window, but relying on this window means you may miss the opportunity to lock in your preferred choices during the main choice-filling period. By submitting complete, accurate documents on the first attempt, you maximise your chances of swift verification and full participation in the counselling process.

NMC refuses to disclose information on action against private colleges over unpaid PG stipends

NMC refuses to disclose information on action against private colleges over unpaid PG stipends

In 2023, NMC said 2,110 students reported no stipend, 4,288 said they were paid less than students at govt medical colleges in their states, 1,228 said colleges took back money after paying them.

Sneha Richhariya

13 October, 2026 05:09 pm IST

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has refused to disclose action taken against private medical colleges accused of withholding or underpaying stipends to postgraduate (PG) medical students, citing an exemption under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.

In a reply dated 8 October 2026 to an RTI application filed by Kerala-based doctor K. V. Babu, the medical regulator declined to share details of action taken following its own 2023 survey, which found that thousands of postgraduate students at private medical colleges were either not receiving stipends, being paid less than their counterparts in government colleges, or being forced to return the money.

The refusal comes after the commission told the Supreme Court in August 2026 that all 564 medical colleges offering postgraduate courses had reported paying stipends to their students and resident doctors. The affidavit listed the amounts reported by individual colleges but did not reveal whether payments had been independently verified or whether complaints recorded in the earlier survey had been resolved.

In its 24 August 2023 advisory, the NMC’s Post Graduate Medical Education Board said 2,110 students reported receiving no stipend, 4,288 said they were paid less than students at government medical colleges in their respective states, and 1,228 said their colleges took back the money after paying them.

The regulator had then warned private medical colleges of strict action for non-compliance. However, the latest RTI reply does not clarify whether any institution was penalised for non-payment or underpayment.

“There is not even a single instance of NMC taking any action against those medical colleges, which are defaulters in paying stipend to PG doctors/interns. Still, they have no hesitation in filing entirely different data in the Supreme Court of India. It is time to take action against NMC officials, who are not submitting the exact data in the SC,” Dr Babu said.

Last week, a senior NMC official told ThePrint that the commission would take stricter action against institutions violating stipend rules, including financial penalties and possible consequences for accreditation.

The official also said the Undergraduate Medical Education Board had recently imposed monetary penalties on eight institutions for failing to submit stipend-related information. However, Dr Babu said these penalties were for not submitting records, not for failing to pay stipends.

Stipend rules and enforcement

Under Section 5.4 of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, postgraduate students pursuing degree, diploma and super-speciality courses at private colleges must receive stipends at par with students at state or central government medical institutions in the same state or Union Territory.

The issue also extends to undergraduate interns. The NMC’s Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021, require interns to be paid the stipend fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to their institution, university or state. Unlike the postgraduate regulations, they do not explicitly require parity with interns at government medical colleges in the same state.

Dr Babu said he had raised this discrepancy with the Union Health Ministry in June 2022. Following this, the ministry’s Medical Education Policy section asked the NMC in November 2025 to examine the issue and sent a reminder on 15 December 2025.

Later, in a response dated 18 February 2026, the NMC’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board said any amendment to the CRMI regulations would require consideration through the statutory process and consultation with authorities concerned.

In an RTI reply dated 17 July 2026, the commission then said the February letter had been sent in response to inputs sought by the ministry and that stakeholders would be consulted when the regulations were revised or amended.

Responding to ThePrint’s queries on whether a decision had been taken to initiate amendments to CRMI regulations, a senior NMC official said, “The fixation of stipend rates involves the respective state governments and competent authorities, and requires wider stakeholder consultation. The regulatory intent & stated position of the commission is very clear on this. No definitive timeline can be indicated at this stage, as the action lies at the level of respective states. The issue is a continuous discussion point with the states.”

Regarding actions taken against defaulter colleges, the official said, “NMC has consistently maintained that payment of the prescribed stipend to postgraduate medical students is mandatory and that the regulatory non-compliance is viewed seriously. Complaints regarding non-payment or irregular payment are examined, and appropriate action is initiated against defaulting institutions in accordance with the applicable regulations.”

On the denial of information in response to the RTI, the official said, “The response to a particular RTI application needs to be checked with the concerned CPIO (Central Public Information Officer) and the same has to conform to the provisions of the RTI Act.”

Service postgraduates get temporary postings without counselling

Service postgraduates get temporary postings without counselling

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI  08.10.2026

Nearly 800-odd service postgraduates (PG), who completed MD/MS, have been given temporary postings in Tamil Nadu without counselling or following seniority.

Government doctors said this was a departure from the practice followed in the past few years, when vacancy lists were notified and counselling was held for posting service PGs. However, health officials said the temporary postings were made only for salary purposes. On October 5, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) and Research issued orders temporarily assigning service PGs to posts in government medical college hospitals/affiliated institutions under the DME, and to institutions under the Directorates of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) and Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine.

However, the posts and institutions were not specified for those assigned to DMS and DPH institutions.

The communication said transfer counselling for service PGs would be scheduled later and prior information would be given. The move has, however, caused concern among a section of doctors.

“Usually, vacancies in DME and DMS institutions are notified in advance when service PGs near course completion. Transparent counselling is held and postings are based on Civil Medical List (CML) seniority. This year, all of a sudden, the DME issued temporary postings without notifying vacancies or counselling. CML seniority has also not been followed, with juniors posted in DME institutions while seniors have been posted in DMS institutions,” a doctor said.

Doctors said the temporary postings and delay in transfer counselling could affect salary disbursement as it usually takes four to five months for doctors to receive their first month salary at the initial place of posting.

Some doctors recalled a similar situation in 2019, when temporary postings were issued for service PGs without a regular counselling process. They said it took nearly three years to obtain posts on the basis of CML seniority.

The Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) has objected to the move.

Its president, P. Saminathan, said even temporary postings should be made through counselling while maintaining CML seniority.

“This is not about 10 or 15 doctors but a massive number of 800-odd service PGs. CML seniority has not been maintained”, he said.

Junior doctors have been posted to DME institutions, while doctors who are senior as per CML have been posted to DMS and DPH institutions. This will lead to complications in promotion counselling for associate professors in the future,” he said.

A senior health official, however, said that the temporary postings were issued only for salary purposes. DME officials said the arrangement was temporary, for a month or two, until regular counselling is conducted after transfer counselling of assistant professors.

Soft by name, steely by nature: IAF doc posted in Knp secures NEET PG AIR 2

Soft by name, steely by nature: IAF doc posted in Knp secures NEET PG AIR 2

Arvind.Chauhan@timesofindia.com 28.09.2026

Lucknow: When the NEET PG 2026 results were declared on Sept 24, Sqn Ldr Pallakshi Prasad (28), a medical officer posted at Air Force Station Kanpur, drew widespread praise after securing All India Rank 2. 

Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja congratulated the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) alumna from the C3 batch, calling the result a proud moment for the Armed Forces Medical Services. 

For Pallakshi, whose name means “soft,” the achievement follows years of regimented preparation alongside demanding military postings. “I always knew I wanted to become a doctor,” she said, crediting her parents’support despite both being engineers. Born in Ranchi and raised in Hyderabad, she studied at Delhi Public School before clearing NEET UG 2016 with an All India Rank of 1,312 without taking a drop year. With limited options due to home-state admission rules, she applied to AFMC at her mother’s urging. Her mother, Shyamlee Prasad, is a practice head at Infosys. 

Pallakshi entered AFMC after securing girls’ merit rank 3 and later graduated sixth in overall merit in her batch. “I fell in love with the AFMC campus and everything it stood for. By the time I graduated, I didn’t feel like an outsider to the uniform anymore. Taking permanent commission was a natural decision,” she said. Commissioned into the Indian Navy on May 15, 2021, she served for nearly two and a half years as a medical officer on a warship before moving to the Indian Air Force in 2025.

NEET-PG: Only 114 cross 600 mark

NEET-PG: Only 114 cross 600 mark 

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 26.09.2026

New Delhi: Only 114 candidates scored 600 or more out of 720 in NEET-PG 2026, with the highest score at 641. A score of 601 was enough to secure a place in the top 100, according to the detailed result data released by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences. 

The top three ranks went to candidates scoring 641, 633 and 626, while four candidates at ranks 4 to 7 scored 625 each. The number of candidates rose sharply as the score cut-off fell. 

As many as 2,614 candidates scored 550 or more, while 12,111 scored 500 or above. The number rose to 29,130 for 450 or more and 51,729 for scores of 400 or above. The score-to-rank gap widened sharply at lower scores. 

A score of 570 corresponded to rank 1,000, 532 to rank 5,000, 508 to rank 10,000 and 403 to rank 50,000. The scores are not directly comparable with last year’s results, as NEET-PG 2025 was scored out of 800, compared with 720 this year. The detailed result also showed 194 candidates with scores below zero. The median score was 262, while the mean was 274.4 among records carrying numerical scores. The detailed result contain 2,73,096 records, including 7,136 candidates marked absent and one result withheld.

NEET-PG 2026 result out: 2.6L candidates get ranks

 NEET-PG 2026 result out: 2.6L candidates get ranks

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 25.09.2026

New Delhi: National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on Thursday declared NEET-PG 2026 result, with 2,65,960 candidates having appeared in the exam held in two phases this year.

The result includes candidates’ raw scores and overall NEET-PG ranks. The qualifying percentile criteria remain unchanged from last year.

For General and EWS categories, qualifying level was 50th percentile, with cut-off score at 262 marks out of 720 this year. 

It was 45th percentile and 244 marks for General Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and 40th percentile and 226 marks for SC, ST and OBC candidates, including PwBD candidates from these categories.

Scorecards can be downloaded from NBEMS website on or after Oct 1 and will be available for six months. The answer key will also be published on or after Oct 1.

Docs slam interview process for DME post

Docs slam interview process for DME post 

20.09.2026

Chennai: Admissions to UG medical and allied health studies are underway, and courses are now commencing at govt medical colleges across the state, but still the post of director of medical education, who holds administrative control of all medical colleges, has been lying vacant since July 31. 

While officials say selection is in progress, doctors ‘ bodies such as the Service Doctors and Postgraduate Doctors’Association, have objected to the health department’s interview-based process for selecting the next director. The association says the mandatory promotion panel was not published before the exercise. In a press release, the association general secretary Dr A Ramalingam said 10 medical college deans were interviewed for the post, which fell vacant after former DME Dr Suganthy Rajakumari retired in July. 

“Appointments in the department were usually made by preparing a promotion panel every year, based on the eligibility and seniority of doctors as on March 15. The panel would then be used to grant promotions and make appointments to senior administrative posts,” he said. The association urged the state govt to appoint an eligible senior doctor as DME on the basis of promotion panel. It also demanded that promotions to professor and associate professor posts be completed annually without delay. TNN

Tamil Nadu set to get back 40 vacant super speciality seats

Tamil Nadu set to get back 40 vacant super speciality seats

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI. 19.09.2026

After surrendering 151 unfilled super speciality seats for the second round of All India Quota counselling, Tamil Nadu is set to get 40 of them back. Nearly 100 in-service candidates are waiting for these seats and new applications are expected to be invited soon as the Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the qualifying score for NEET-Super Speciality is being lowered from the 50th percentile to the 30th percentile.

The State had to surrender the unfilled seats meant for Tamil Nadu’s in-service candidates in line with a Supreme Court direction. Now, 40 of these seats that remained vacant after round two of All India Quota counselling are being reverted to the State.

Fresh applications

Officials said there are around 100 eligible candidates, but they would have to call for applications again after receiving the court orders. The application window will depend on the duration stipulated by the court.

M. Akilan, State secretary, Tamil Nadu Medical Officers’ Association (TNMOA), said in a statement that after the Supreme Court ordered on May 29 that the vacant in-service super speciality seats be surrendered to the All India pool, it filed an independent fresh writ petition before the court, representing the rights and interests of in-service doctors in super speciality education.

The court later directed that the vacant seats be surrendered to the All India pool and if the qualifying cut-off was reduced in subsequent rounds of counselling, 50% of the remaining unfilled Tamil Nadu seats should be reverted to the State.

TNMOA said it continued its legal efforts and subsequently filed another Interlocutory Application seeking the full reversion of the remaining unfilled Tamil Nadu in-service seats to the State. At the hearing on Thursday, the Medical Counselling Committee informed the court that the NEET-SS qualifying percentile would be reduced to the 30th percentile. All remaining unfilled in-service seats would be reverted to the State.

Dr. Akilan said that 111 candidates were already waiting and that new applicants would come in. Last year, Tamil Nadu surrendered 145 seats to the All India Quota and 39 were reverted.

NEET-SS cut-off down; 40 seats returned to TN

NEET-SS cut-off down; 40 seats returned to TN 

19.09.2026

Chennai: A day after the Centre told the Supreme Court it had reduced the qualifying percentile for NEET-SS from 50 to 30, the TN Medical Officers’Association (TNMOA) said its sustained legal battle helped secure the return of 40 vacant super-speciality seats to the state for govt doctors. 

The Centre told the court that 1,857 super-speciality seats remained vacant across the country after the second round of counselling. This included 40 seats in TN. Candidates who become eligible after the percentile reduction will be allowed to participate in the special stray vacancy round. 

Earlier, TN had surrendered 152 vacant in-service super-speciality seats to the all-India pool following a Supreme Court order. “TNMOA filed a writ petition seeking protection of the interests of in-service doctors,” said general secretary Dr M Akilan. The association said the govt must create posts and offer incentives for super-speciality courses that do not attract enough candidates. TNN

NMC proposes single licence for doctors to practise across India

NMC proposes single licence for doctors to practise across India

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

NEW DELHI. 20.08.2026

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed a registration system under which a medical practitioner, once registered with a State Medical Council and allotted a Unique Identification (UID) number in the National Medical Register, would be eligible to practise across India without obtaining fresh registration or a licence in another State.

The proposal is part of the draft Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, notified by the NMC on August 11. The NMC has invited objections and suggestions for 30 days from the date of notification. Under the proposed system, the State Medical Council would continue to scrutinise applications and grant registration and the licence for doctors to practise, but the approval would be reflected in both the State Medical Register and the National Medical Register.

NEET-PG aspirants to face Aadhaar checks Candidates To Get Test City Details 3 Wks In Advance

NEET-PG aspirants to face Aadhaar checks Candidates To Get Test City Details 3 Wks In Advance 

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com  02.08.2026

New Delhi: More than 2.73 lakh medical graduates have registered for NEET-PG 2026, an increase of over 12.5% over last year, as National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences rolls out enhanced authentication measures and candidate-friendly initiatives for the Aug-30 examination.

Candidates will undergo Aadhaar-based authentication during registration and on the examination day, while iris-based biometric verification will be used wherever fingerprint authentication is unsuccessful. They will also have to indicate three preferred states for allotment of examination centres, with their correspondence state as the mandatory first preference. 

Test city information will be issued nearly three weeks before the examination, enabling candidates to plan travel and accommodation in advance. Examination will comprise 180 questions that have to be answered in 210 minutes, giving candidates more time per question while retaining the overall duration of examination. 

Union health minister J P Nadda reviewed preparations for the examination on Saturday and directed officials to ensure its smooth, transparent and technology-enabled conduct while maintaining the highest standards of security and integrity. He also urged candidates not to fall prey to rumours or fraudulent claims regarding question paper leaks, saying the final paper is selected through a highly encrypted, time-bound process shortly before the examination, making any claim of prior access entirely false. 

Officials said examination will be conducted under a multi-layered security framework, which includes CCTV surveillance, biometric authentication, candidate frisking, signal jammers, dynamic computer allocation, live monitoring through central and regional command centres, and independent observers. 

More than 60,000 examination personnel will be deployed to oversee the examination. The end-to-end question paper preparation and delivery process has been reinforced through multiple layers of encryption, secure offline preparation, time-bound finalisation of paper shortly before the examination and controlled digital decryption at the scheduled commencement of the test.