NEET-AIQ : Modified Scheme To Be Implemented For 2021-22 UG & PG Conuselling, MCC Tells Supreme Court

On Thursday, a bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao, B.R. Gavai and B.V. Nagarathna disposed of a Special Leave Petition and a Writ Petition in terms of the modified counselling scheme.

The affidavit indicated that the designated authority for counselling for 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats of the contributing states was the Directorate General of Health Services. The Court noted that the modified scheme, which proposed 4 rounds of counselling would be in consonance with the norms of counselling followed by all Central Institutes/Universities.

The salient points of the scheme highlight1ed by the Court are as under -

• DGHS would be conducting 4 rounds of online counselling.
• The seats which were earlier reverted back to the contributing states after the 2nd round would continue to be filled in the 3rd and 4th rounds by DGHS in online mode.
• The 4 rounds would be conducted only for quota seats that have all India character.
• The DGHS have agreed to allow fresh registration only for the first 3 rounds of counselling.
• The option of free exit and that of up-gradation would be available only in the 1st round.
• Candidates won't be permitted to resign beyond the 1st round.
• Candidates who do not join the 2nd round would be permitted to join the subsequent rounds on forfeiture of security deposit and upon fresh registration.
• For provisions of security deposit, option of free exit and eligibility criteria, Gazette Notification No. MCI-34 (41)/2018-mED./109835 dated 18.05.2018 is to be referred.

"This Court has been informed that the modified schemes shall be implemented for the current year 2021-2022 for admissions to NEET UG and PG", the Court recorded in the order.

[Case Title: Nihila P.P. v. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) & Ors. SLP(C) No. 10487/2021]