Thousands of medical graduates in Telangana are facing a tense and uncertain wait as the state has yet to announce the schedule for its crucial NEET PG counselling process. This delay persists even after the closure of the Medical Counselling Committee's (MCC) All India Quota (AIQ) Round-1 resignation window on December 3.
Official List Released, But Process Stalled
The Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), the body responsible for state counselling, published a final merit list of over 3,100 eligible candidates on December 4. However, the actual counselling schedule remains firmly on hold. University officials have cited the need for legal advice on recent court judgements as the reason for the postponement. The final list of eligible candidates is now anticipated to be released on Wednesday morning.
This administrative pause has left more than 3,000 MBBS graduates in a state of limbo, unsure of their immediate future. Many students who secured seats in the All India Quota but wish to switch to preferred state colleges like the prestigious NIMS or Osmania Medical College find themselves trapped. They cannot resign from their AIQ seats or collect their original certificates without clear communication from the Telangana counselling authorities.
Students Fear Losing Out on Better Opportunities
The situation stands in stark contrast to neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh, which have already commenced their counselling rounds and expect to conclude them soon. Telangana aspirants now worry they might miss out on better seat options as both the AIQ Round 2 process and counselling in other states move forward.
"Typically, state counselling runs parallel to the all-India process, allowing us to make informed choices between national and state seats," explained a student with an All India Rank (AIR) just above 6,000. "This isn't an issue in states like Andhra. The core problem is the absence of the seat matrix, which shows college-wise vacancies and reservation details. Without it, we have no flexibility and cannot decide where to apply."
It is important to note that half of all NEET PG seats are filled through the MCC's AIQ counselling, while the remaining half are allocated by respective state counselling authorities.
Legal Hurdles and Administrative Challenges
Another aspirant, with an AIR above 5,000, highlighted the cascading effect of the delay. "Postgraduate seats are limited, especially in sought-after departments. Students with high ranks need clarity to secure positions at good institutions. Telangana candidates are now at a disadvantage compared to peers from other states who have completed initial rounds. Without the schedule and matrix, we cannot make strategic decisions during the All India rounds," the student stated.
Students have linked the holdup to ongoing court cases concerning local status issues, as well as recent controversies at KNRUHS, including the vice-chancellor's resignation. They express frustration that despite earlier assurances from authorities that counselling would begin within a week, no concrete timeline has been provided. There is a growing demand for the state government and university officials to expedite the process to prevent a significant loss of opportunities for candidates.
When contacted, KNRUHS Registrar Dr. Nagarjuna Reddy confirmed the procedural delay, stating, "There are two court cases, and we have received the judgements. The final list of eligible candidates will be released either on Monday or Tuesday."
