The crucial third round of counselling for Postgraduate (PG) Medical seats for the 2025 academic session has been officially delayed. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has announced that the schedule will be released only after the process for revising the qualifying percentile is completed. This development directly impacts thousands of aspiring doctors across India.
Official Communication Halts State-Led Processes
In a clear directive, the MCC has informed all state directors of medical education, vice-chancellors, and state medical education secretaries to hold their counselling processes. The committee has stated that it will upload the revised schedule for both the All-India Quota and state counselling for the third round only after receiving formal approval for the revised percentile eligibility from the competent authority. States have been explicitly advised not to proceed independently until the MCC publishes the official timeline.
Vacant Seats and Revised Timeline
The delay follows the conclusion of two rounds of counselling, which have left a significant number of seats unfilled. In the state of Gujarat alone, 163 PG medical seats remain vacant due to candidates not reporting after being allotted a seat. Currently, the total number of available PG seats in the state stands at 635. With the ongoing process to lower the qualifying percentile, sources indicate that it is now unlikely for the third round to commence before January 15.
Parallel Appeals for Additional Seats
Adding another layer to the complex scenario, several state medical colleges have approached central authorities after their requests for an increase in PG seat intake were turned down. Hearings on these appeals are currently underway before the Union Health Minister and are expected to continue until January 10. Decisions regarding the approval of these new seats are anticipated only after the conclusion of these hearings. Meanwhile, insider reports suggest a strong possibility that the qualifying percentile will be reduced in the near future to help fill the vacant positions.
This series of events creates a period of uncertainty for candidates awaiting the third round. They are now dependent on the dual outcomes of the percentile revision and the verdict on additional seats, which will collectively shape the final phase of the PG medical admissions for 2025.
