Kerala NEET PG 2025 counselling begins; OCI, non-Keralite service doctors now eligible

The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations Kerala (CEE Kerala) has opened the application window for the Kerala NEET PG 2025 counselling for the state quota seats in government medical colleges and Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) Thiruvananthapuram, and private self-financing medical colleges. NEET PG Counselling 2025 LIVE

As per the Kerala NEET PG round 1 counselling dates, the last date to submit the applications is September 22. The Kerala NEET PG prospectus 2025 and application form are now available on the official website, cee.kerala.gov.in.

General and service quota candidates are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of Rs 1,000 and SC, ST candidates will have to pay Rs 500.

Kerala NEET PG 2025: Major changes

Based on the court orders in recent years, the CEE Kerala has introduced some major changes in the Kerala NEET PG counselling.

• Applicants should be an Indian citizen of Kerala origin.
• Only Indian citizens are eligible for admission unless otherwise notified.
• As per the Supreme Court order in 2023, OCI cardholders are not treated at par with Indian citizens and will be allowed to compete for general seats and NRI quota seats. However, they will not be considered for reservation benefits.
• Candidates who are children of non-Keralite parents but hold an MBBS degree from a Kerala medical college are eligible, without communal, special, or disability reservation benefits.
• Following a 2024 Kerala High Court judgment, the nativity clause was struck down, making non-Keralite service doctors eligible to apply under the service quota.

Also read NEET PG 'impacts future of healthcare of India' Kerala MP raises 3 major concerns in Parliament

Kerala NEET PG 2025 bond policy

The Director of Medical Education, Kerala has announced a total of 884 seats in government medical colleges and 16 seats in RCC for the previous academic year. Additionally, a total of 681 seats in the self-financing medical colleges were also notified.

The Kerala CEE has also implemented stricter service rules for NEET PG students. Those candidates who decide to discontinue their courses are required to pay the government expenses plus a fixed penalty of Rs 50 lakh.

Candidates will have to execute two bonds in a stamp paper of the total value of Rs 200 at the time of joining the course.

While the general category candidates are required to serve for one year, the service quota candidates should serve 10 years, including two years in difficult and remote areas denied by the government, immediately after completion of the course.

Also read NEET PG 2025: Supreme Court to hear all petitions over exam transparency on September 12

Kerala NEET PG incentive marks

The NEET PG seniority list of the service candidates will be prepared by the controlling officer or head of department. As per the rules, the service weightage added up from all areas of services is capped at 30% of the marks obtained by candidates in the qualifying exam.

Service weightage in the marks will be given at the rate of 1% for each year of service. The incentive marks will be awarded at the rate of 2% per year for rural service, including working in approved casualty units in government hospitals and 5% per year for service in difficult rural service.