The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea requesting the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to conduct AIQ (All India Quota) Round 3 counselling for NEET-PG 2024 afresh. The petitioners had claimed that there were multiple instances of seat blocking due to delays in completing the second round of state counselling in Madhya Pradesh.

"If we entertain the petition of these three petitioners, many more cases will follow... Some casualties are inevitable... This was only a problem in Madhya Pradesh, not in other states."— Justice B.R. Gavai

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Three NEET-PG 2024 candidates had filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking directions for MCC to cancel AIQ Round 3 counselling and conduct it afresh.

Additionally, the petitioners sought:

A fourth round of counselling for seats that remained blocked due to pending Round 2 state counselling in certain states.

An option for AIQ Round 3 eligible candidates to register for the stray round of NEET-PG 2024 counselling.

Allegations that the Supreme Court’s "Anjana Chari Case" guidelines on seat allocation timelines were violated.

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Senior Advocate K. Parmeswar, representing the petitioners, argued that due to seat blocking and the delay in completing MP’s State Round 2, there were fewer available seats in AIQ Round 3. As a result, candidates received lower-category subjects.

Furthermore, he highlighted two major concerns:

Candidates were allotted lower-category subjects due to limited seat availability.

They were given private college seats instead of state quota seats, impacting their career prospects.

"The fault lies with the state, not the students. The petitioners’ lifetime opportunities are at stake."— K. Parmeswar, Senior Advocate

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Standing Counsel Gaurav Sharma, representing the National Medical Commission (NMC), countered that the issue was specific to Madhya Pradesh and should not impact the entire country’s AIQ counselling process.

Making changes now would create a cascading effect across all states.

Once a candidate chooses a seat in AIQ Round 3, they cannot vacate it or seek an upgrade.

If state seats remain vacant, they carry forward to the next round, but vacating AIQ seats would allow candidates from all over India to apply for them, disrupting the system.

"If we make any changes now, it will impact the entire country’s AIQ counselling process."— Gaurav Sharma, Counsel for NMC

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After considering all arguments, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea.

"This is a complex issue. If we allow this petition, many more will follow."— Justice B.R. Gavai

With this ruling, AIQ Round 3 counselling for NEET-PG 2024 will remain unchanged, and the ongoing counselling process will continue as planned.

For Petitioners: Senior Advocate K. Parmeswar and Advocate Tanvi Dubey

For National Medical Commission: Standing Counsel Gaurav Sharma

For Government of India: Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati