Reduce NEET SS 2023 cut-off, announce special counselling round: Doctors, aspirants urge NMC

NEW DELHI: Doctors and aspirants have urged the National Medical Commission (NMC) to revise the National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super-specialty (NEET SS) 2023 cut-off and announce a mop-up round to fill vacant seats. The doctors group alleged that over 400 DM, MCh, DrNB seats are vacant after the second round of NEET SS counselling 2023.

The United Doctors’ Front Association (UDFA) wrote a letter to the Ministry of Family and Health Welfare (MoFHW) narrating the plight of students.

“After the conclusion of Round 2 of NEET SS counselling, a significant vacancy of DM/MCH/ DrNB seats has been identified. In light of this, we kindly request for re- revision of the cut-off percentile to the least effective percentile, aligning with the practices observed in the NEET PG 2023 and the previous year's NEET SS Examination,” the doctors’ association said in the letter.

Demanding a special mop-up round of counselling, UDFA alleged that there was an unusual delay in the exam held on September 29 and 30. It argued that the exam was marred by technical errors resulting in rescheduling of the exam time causing candidates hypoglycaemic issues and anxiety due to the early reporting time. Despite giving assurance after the exam, no substantial steps have been taken to address these concerns, impacting the performance of well-prepared candidates, the group added.

The doctors’ group attached another letter signed by NEET SS 2023 candidates. As per the letter, the seats not joined by candidates after the second round of counselling, seats upgraded from round 1 and those left by INI SS candidates will add to the number of vacant seats in addition to the seats left vacant after the second round.

“So we request to consider announcing an early mop-up counselling this year immediately after the last date of reporting and joining of round 2 alloted candidates with cut-off percentile reduction to the minimum percentile to ensure 100% participation as done for NEET SS 2021 and NEET PG 2023 counselling which happened without any percentile requirements,” the aspirants urged.

The doctors and candidates brought to the notice of the authorities that the late scheduling of mop-up round will delay the commencement of the academic session and thesis protocol submission and the course and tenure extension.

UDFA letter further mentioned that the Supreme Court expressed concern about vacancies in super speciality seats recently, and had asked the union government and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to find a solution so that none of the seats go wasted.