'163 INI CET 2025 seats wasted': RTI confirms 48; doctor alleges AIIMS called spot round ‘too late’

More than 160 postgraduate seats reportedly remained vacant across various AIIMS institutes and JIPMER Puducherry after the open round of INI CET 2025 counselling, according to autopsy surgeon Dr Dheeraj Maheshwari (Yumraaj on X). An RTI response confirmed that 48 of these seats were officially vacant.

All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) conducts the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET 2025) and counselling for admission to Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Surgery (MS), 6-year DM, MCh, and Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) courses. Despite vacant seats and confirmed resignation, the institute did not conduct spot round.

“This year, no spot round was conducted despite confirmed vacancies. Petitioners submitted documented proof of 4 resigned seats, yet the matter kept getting delayed in court. When the judgment finally came in May, AIIMS claimed it was “too late” as the admission deadline of 28 February had passed,” Dheeraj Maheshwari posted on X.

“But here is the catch,” he added. “AIIMS itself creates the counselling schedule. A spot round takes just 2 days. Had they acted in time, at least the 48 vacant seats after open round (as admitted in an RTI) and the resigned seats could have been allotted.”

He further alleged that over 90% of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and foreign national seats remain vacant every session. In this session, only 7 out of 118 foreign and sponsored seats were filled in the open round counselling - “leading to massive loss of opportunities”.

Petitioners verified the numbers by comparing total seats shown in open round versus actual allotments. RTI reply revealed that 48 seats remained unfilled after the open round. Petitioners obtained resignation “proof of 4 more seats by contacting residents and interns”, he said.

“Final count of wasted seats: 48 vacant seats after open round (RTI confirmed) + 4 confirmed resigned seats (documented) + 111 unutilized foreign, OCI sponsored seats = 163 plus seats wasted,” he added.

He accused the institute of mismanagement and misconduct, stating: “These were never seriously intended to be filled. Who is accountable for denying these seats to deserving students?”