NEET PG Counselling 2021 – The NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate) is a crucial examination for medical graduates aspiring to pursue postgraduate courses (MD/MS/PG Diploma) in India.
The NEET PG 2021 counselling process was particularly significant due to multiple delays, legal hurdles, and pandemic-induced disruptions.
This article explores the details of NEET PG Counselling 2021, including its process, schedule, controversies, and outcomes.
Introduction to NEET PG Counselling
NEET PG counselling is a centralized process conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for admission to 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges, deemed universities, central universities, ESIC, and AFMS institutions.
The remaining 50% of state quota seats are managed by the respective state authorities.
The counselling process typically involves multiple rounds, including Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round, and a Stray Vacancy Round.
Candidates who qualify NEET PG with the minimum cutoff are eligible to participate in the counselling.
Timeline and Delays in 2021
The NEET PG 2021 exam was originally scheduled for January but was postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was eventually held on September 11, 2021, after much delay.
However, the counselling process did not begin immediately after the results were declared in September.
Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Intervention
The delay in NEET PG counselling 2021 was largely due to a petition filed in the Supreme Court challenging the implementation of the 27% OBC reservation and 10% EWS (Economically Weaker Section) quota in AIQ seats.
The petitioners argued that the new quota policy needed proper justification and clarity, especially the criteria for determining the EWS category.
The Supreme Court initially put a hold on the counselling process until the matter was resolved.
After months of hearings, the Supreme Court gave a green signal in January 2022, allowing the counselling to begin with a go-ahead for the new reservation policies, including the application of the Rs. 8 lakh income ceiling for the EWS category temporarily.
Counselling Rounds and Process
Once the legal clearance was granted, MCC began the counselling process. The key rounds included:
1. Round 1
Round 1 began in January 2022, and candidates were required to register online, fill in their preferences for colleges and courses, and lock their choices.
Seat allotments were made based on rank, preferences, reservation criteria, and seat availability.
2. Round 2
Round 2 followed after the conclusion of Round 1.
Candidates who were not allotted seats in Round 1 or who wished to upgrade could participate.
Fresh registrations were also allowed in this round.
3. Mop-Up Round
The mop-up round was conducted to fill the vacant seats left after Round 2.
Candidates who had not secured any seat in the previous rounds were eligible, but those who had already secured a seat were not allowed to participate.
4. Stray Vacancy Round
The final round, known as the Stray Vacancy Round, involved filling up seats that remained vacant after the Mop-Up Round.
No fresh registration was allowed in this round. The process was conducted online, and candidates were directly allotted seats.
Impact of Delays on Candidates
The prolonged delay in the counselling process had a significant psychological and professional impact on thousands of NEET PG aspirants.
- Increased Stress and Anxiety: Uncertainty over timelines caused severe mental distress among candidates.
- Loss of Academic Year: Many candidates were forced to wait for months before beginning their postgraduate education.
- Healthcare Burden: With thousands of postgraduate seats lying vacant, hospitals and healthcare institutions across India suffered from a shortage of resident doctors.
- Protests by Doctors: Multiple protests and strikes were organised by resident doctors and medical associations demanding the immediate commencement of counselling.
Key Changes in NEET PG Counselling 2021
NEET PG 2021 counselling witnessed several notable changes and updates:
a. Inclusion of OBC and EWS Quotas in AIQ
For the first time, the central government implemented a 27% reservation for OBC and 10% for EWS candidates in AIQ seats.
This move was aimed at promoting social justice and equitable access to higher education in medicine.
b. Four Rounds of Counselling
Earlier, NEET PG counselling consisted of only two rounds and a mop-up round.
From 2021 onwards, four rounds were introduced, including a stray vacancy round, to ensure that no PG seat remains vacant.
c. AIQ Round 2 Upgradation
Candidates who joined seats in Round 1 were allowed to participate in Round 2 for upgradation, offering them more flexibility in choosing better colleges or specializations.
State Quota Counselling
Apart from the MCC-conducted counselling for AIQ seats, individual states carried out their own counselling for state quota seats.
States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and West Bengal had their respective medical education boards overseeing the process.
Many state counselling processes were also delayed due to the ongoing court cases and national-level indecision.
However, most states followed similar timelines and started their rounds post-January 2022.
Seat Allotment and Vacancies
Despite the extended process and increased number of rounds, some seats remained vacant due to:
- Lack of eligible or interested candidates for certain specialties.
- Candidates opting out or leaving their seats midway.
- Inadequate information or lack of access to internet facilities in remote areas.
Efforts were made to ensure transparency and minimize vacant seats, including publishing detailed seat matrices, cutoff lists, and merit-based allotments.
Final Statistics and Outcomes
By the end of the counselling rounds, most postgraduate medical seats were successfully filled across India. The final data indicated:
- High demand for specialties like radiology, dermatology, general medicine, and Paediatrics.
- Lower preference for certain branches like anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry.
- The majority of top-ranking candidates preferred central institutes and reputed government colleges.
Conclusion
The NEET PG Counselling 2021 was an unprecedented experience for both medical aspirants and authorities.
It highlighted the challenges of policy implementation, the impact of legal and political decisions on education, and the urgency of timely academic planning.
Despite the setbacks, the process ultimately concluded with reforms aimed at making medical education more inclusive and efficient.