NEET PG 2024 Counselling: DNB seats ‘withdrawn’ after being allotted; candidates may lose a year

NEW DELHI: Two doctors allotted post-graduation (PG medical) seats at a Kolkata hospital during the first two rounds of NEET PG counselling 2024 were in for a rude shock as their seats were inexplicably withdrawn. The candidates were asked to participate in the ongoing third round of admissions.

On Monday evening, the candidates received e-mails from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) informing them that post-MBBS Diplomate of National Board (DNB) General Surgery seats they were allotted at the Ruby General Hospital under the All India Quota (AIQ) were no longer available in the current admission cycle.

The board, which regulates admission to health science programmes, didn’t give any reason for the development but informed the candidates that they would be able to seek a different spot in the third and final regular round of NEET PG counselling 2024. The candidates now risk losing a year if they don’t find any seat in this round.

Also read NEET UG 2025 stays in pen-and-paper, single-shift mode: NTA update

MCC NEET PG Counselling 2024: DNB seat matrix changes

One of the candidates, who requested anonymity, told Careers360 that after they got the seats in the hospital, they confirmed the allocation by completing the formalities. While they had opted for an upgrade in the second round, they couldn’t get a more preferred option and had to retain these seats, only for them to be removed from the seat matrix later

While the candidates didn’t get any explanation either from NBEMS or the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which handles counselling for NEET PG the hospital informed them that the seats were eliminated due to a faculty member from the general surgery department recently leaving the institute.

The doctor termed the cancellation of their allotment “unlawful”.

“I believe that it’s the responsibility of MCC that if we are allotted seats that are canceled for no fault of ours, we should have been given alternative seats from a hospital down the choice list. And then we could have participated in the third round and applied for a better option. Now we are no more guaranteed a seat,” he said.

The aggrieved candidate said that such removal of the seats in the middle of the admission process was unprecedented. He also questioned as to why there was no public notice issued by the regulators informing the candidates about the withdrawal of the seats.

“No one has ever heard of an allotted seat being taken away. How are we supposed to know if a faculty [member] was going to leave?” said the doctor.

Also read 'Why is NMC silent?' KM Medical College ‘forces’ PG doctors to admit 100 patients in 15 days

NEET PG Counselling: Joining round-3

The medical students are now in a fix, as they have little time to submit a fresh list of preferences; the registration for neet pg counselling 2024 round-3 closes on January 19.

And in case they don’t get admitted in this cycle, they would be left with only a few months to prepare for NEET PG 2025. The students have submitted grievances to NBEMS, the Directorate General of Health Sciences (DGHS) and MCC, but are yet to get any response.

When Careers360 sought a comment from Dr Vinay Gupta, Additional Director (Medical) and Media Spokesperson at NBEMS, he asked to submit the queries through an e-mail. No reply had been received to a mail duly sent till the time this story was published. If and when there is a response, this copy will be updated.

On Thursday, NEET PG 2024 counselling schedule was revised for the second time after the NBEMS reduced the NEET PG cut-off to fill vacant seats.

Aasif Khan, a resident doctor, took to X (previously Twitter) to highlight this issue and express his dismay. "Incompetent NBE is withdrawing recognition of Hospitals for DNB course after allotment and conduction of 2 Rounds as they couldn't do required inspection on time," reads a post from his social media account @Doc_khan_.