NEET-PG 2022 : Supreme Court Directs Madhya Pradesh Govt To Conduct State Mop-Up Rounds Counselling Afresh

"We are of the view that it would be necessary for the State of MP to conduct State Mop-Up Round of counselling afresh. This was necessitated because AIQ Round was completed on 19.11.2022…The results of the State Mop-Up has to be notified as it stands after AIQ seats have been allotted. In relation to the State of MP the following schedule is to be maintained - "..."

A Bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice J.B. Pardiwala noted that the act of the State of Madhya Pradesh to declare results of State Rounds of Counselling on 17.11.2022, before that of AIQ Rounds, which was declared on 19.11.2022, was contrary to the directions of the Apex Court.

The Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that as a result of the declaration of State's result before that of All India Rounds several candidates have blocked seats both in State and AIQ Rounds of Counselling, keeping meritorious candidates in the lurch. She submitted -

"In MP, the Mop-up Round of Counselling took place even before the AIQ Mop-up Round."

The CJI told the State Counsel, "Why do you do this? We are only doing trouble-shooting for medical colleges."

The AAG of the State of Madhya Pradesh argued that the State had proceeded to complete the State Mop-up round in view of the time-schedule approved by the Apex Court in October, 2022 granting extension to the schedule prescribed in 2016 in Ashish Ranjan's case. It is pertinent to note that in the said 2016 order, the Apex Court had directed that no admission can be made in the medical course after May 31 of the concerned academic year. Therefore, in October, 2022, approval had to be sought from the Apex Court to extend the time-schedule for admissions to both Postgraduate and MBBS courses.

However, the Bench did not find merit in this submission made by the AAG, as the Apex Court by an order dated 11.11.2022 had, inter alia, indicated that States shall proceed with the State Mop-up round only after the Mop-up round for the All India Quota was complete.

After consulting with ASG, Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, the CJI informed AAG, Madhya Pradesh -

"You have to redo your State Mop-Up...Fresh lists can be drawn after dropping those who have already made it in the All India Round…You will have to redo your State Mop-up. We can give time till the 26th."

ASG, Ms. Bhati requested that there ought not to be much delay as it has the potential to disturb the rest of the schedule. The Bench agreed and granted time till 26th November, 2022 to complete the process of the fresh Round of Counselling in Madhya Pradesh.