After NEET, MCC plays truant; States in limbo over admission process
After the NEET row, thousands of successful candidates waiting to become future doctors are facing a harrowing experience due to inordinate delays in the medical colleges’ counselling process, which is certainly hampering the academic year.
The results of the re-NEET exams were declared on July 16, and according to Union Health Ministry directives, the admission counselling process by the Medical Council Committee (MCC) was to begin within one week.
Health Minister JP Nadda on July 29 had reviewed preparedness for NEET-UG Counselling 2026 and directed officials to ensure a transparent, fair and merit-based admission process while taking proactive measures to address candidates’ concerns.
It reviewed the readiness of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for counselling of All India Quota (AIQ) and other seats under its purview. He also stressed on facilitating smooth functioning of the counselling portal throughout the admission process.
During the review meeting, Nadda assessed the counselling schedule, IT infrastructure, cyber security preparedness, grievance redressal mechanisms, candidate facilitation measures and coordination with participating institutions.
The 15 per cent quota from all-India Government institutions like AIIMS, AFMC, States’ Government Medical Colleges, and Deemed universities medical colleges is to be announced by MCC, but it has revised dates thrice in one week, ultimately delaying the counselling process by the States’ counselling board for admissions in medical and dental colleges within their territories.
As per records, most of the States are ready with their announcement of results (read: seat allocation) but cannot declare due to the MCC’s delayed process. Uttar Pradesh State Medical Council is yet to announce the counselling process, though the candidates registered almost a fortnight ago, while the Jharkhand Medical Counselling Board has been facing a regular technical glitch, giving the registered candidates nightmares.
