The situation revolves around a major controversy concerning “irregularities” in the NEET-PG 2024 exam. The key developments are:
- Withheld Results Released: The results of over 1,500 candidates, previously withheld, have been declared.
- 2025 Hearing Deferred: The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on a petition seeking to postpone the NEET-PG 2025 exam.
- Counselling in Limbo: The counselling process for NEET-PG 2024 is still on hold, awaiting a final decision from the court.
Here is a detailed breakdown of each component.
1. The Core Issue: NEET-PG 2024 Irregularities
The problem began after the NEET-PG 2024 exam was conducted on June 23, 2024. The National Board of Examinations (NBE) announced that the results of 1,563 candidates were withheld due to suspicions of unfair means and unusual patterns in scores at certain exam centers.
- Allegations: There were allegations of paper leaks and impersonation, similar to the controversies surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 exam for undergraduate courses.
- Investigation: The matter is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a special committee formed by the government.
2. Withheld Results Released (Key Development)
After a prolonged wait and mounting pressure from students, the NBE finally released the withheld results on July 19, 2024.
- Reason for Release: The decision came after the NBE informed the Supreme Court that the experts on the committee had found no evidence of mass malpractice or a paper leak in the NEET-PG 2024 exam. The initial suspicions were based on statistical analysis, which the committee reviewed.
- Impact: This release was a significant relief for the 1,563 affected candidates, who could then become eligible for the counselling process.
3. NEET PG 2025 Hearing Deferred Again
This is a separate but related issue. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking to postpone the NEET-PG 2025 exam, which is tentatively scheduled for January 2025.
- Argument for Postponement: The petitioners (a group of doctors) argued that the ongoing chaos and delays in the NEET-PG 2024 counselling cycle would leave insufficient time for 2025 aspirants to prepare. They contended that the entire academic schedule has been disrupted.
- Latest Status: On July 23, 2024, the Supreme Court bench deferred the hearing. The next date for the hearing is now July 29, 2024.
- Reason for Deferral: The court is currently preoccupied with hearing petitions related to the NEET-UG 2024 exam. The NEET-PG 2025 petition will be taken up after that.
4. Counselling for NEET-PG 2024 Awaited
This is the most critical pending issue for 2024 qualified candidates.
- Current Status: ON HOLD. The counselling process, conducted by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC), has not yet begun.
- Reason for Delay: The Supreme Court had earlier put a stay on the counselling process until it conclusively heard the petitions concerning the alleged irregularities in the NEET-PG 2024 exam.
- Next Step: With the results now released and the expert committee finding no mass malpractice, it is expected that the Supreme Court will soon lift the stay and allow counselling to commence. The court is likely to give directions on this after it concludes the NEET-UG hearings.
Chronology of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 23, 2024 | NEET-PG 2024 exam conducted. |
| Late June 2024 | NBE withholds results of 1,563 candidates. |
| July 2024 | Petitions filed in Supreme Court regarding both 2024 and 2025 exams. |
| July 19, 2024 | NBE releases the withheld NEET-PG 2024 results after committee report. |
| July 23, 2024 | Supreme Court defers the hearing on NEET-PG 2025 postponement to July 29. |
| As of Now | Counselling for NEET-PG 2024 is still awaited, pending Supreme Court’s final order. |
What to Expect Next
- Immediate Focus: The Supreme Court will continue hearing the NEET-UG cases.
- Next Key Date: July 29, 2024 – The next scheduled hearing for the plea to postpone NEET-PG 2025.
- Counselling Start: A decision on commencing NEET-PG 2024 counselling is expected soon, potentially in the same hearing or shortly after.
- 2025 Exam Date: The fate of the NEET-PG 2025 schedule will be decided by the Supreme Court’s order.
Official Sources to Follow for Updates
- Supreme Court of India: For official orders and hearing dates.
- National Board of Examinations (NBE):
natboard.edu.in– For exam-related announcements. - Medical Counseling Committee (MCC):
mcc.nic.in– For counselling schedules and procedures. - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW): For policy-level decisions.
Disclaimer: This is a fluid situation. The information provided is based on the latest available updates and is subject to change based on future court orders and official notifications. Candidates are advised to monitor the official websites closely.
