The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has urged the Union Health Ministry, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and the Supreme Court to intervene urgently and resume the stalled National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Super Speciality (NEET SS) counselling process. The association has warned that the prolonged delay has left thousands of qualified doctors in uncertainty while worsening the shortage of specialists in hospitals across the country.The second round of NEET SS counselling has remained suspended for nearly five months because of an ongoing legal dispute concerning in-service super-speciality seats in Tamil Nadu. According to FAIMA, the prolonged pause is affecting not only the careers of aspiring specialists but also the functioning of India’s healthcare system.
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FAIMA seeks urgent hearing in Supreme Court
In its appeal, FAIMA requested the Supreme Court to accord top priority to the pending matter so that admissions can resume without further delay. The doctors’ body has also appealed to the Union Health Ministry and DGHS to consider provisional seat allotments, enabling eligible candidates to begin their DM and M.Ch. training while the legal proceedings continue.The association argued that such a measure would help prevent the loss of an entire academic session and reduce uncertainty for thousands of doctors waiting to begin advanced medical training.
Why NEET SS counselling has been delayed
The counselling process has been caught in a legal battle over the allocation of 151 unfilled super-specialty seats under the Tamil Nadu state counselling process and issues related to the in-service quota. While Round 1 counselling was completed earlier, Round 2 choice filling has been repeatedly postponed and remains suspended until further orders.The unresolved litigation has effectively brought admissions to a standstill, leaving candidates unable to secure seats despite qualifying in the entrance examination.
Doctors face academic and financial uncertainty
According to FAIMA, the prolonged delay has placed many doctors under severe professional and financial stress. Several candidates had resigned from Senior Residency positions or other clinical roles after qualifying for NEET SS, expecting to join higher-speciality programmes.With admissions remaining on hold, many are now without employment, regular income, or academic progression. The association said the uncertainty has caused significant mental distress, as candidates continue to wait without clarity on when the counselling process will resume.The delay has also disrupted career timelines, postponing the entry of qualified specialists into advanced clinical practice and delaying their contribution to the healthcare system.
Hospitals struggle with shortage of specialists
FAIMA has warned that the counselling deadlock is also affecting patient care. Super-speciality departments in several hospitals are reportedly operating with fewer resident doctors, increasing the workload on existing healthcare professionals.The shortage of trainees has placed additional pressure on departments that depend heavily on resident doctors to deliver specialised services. The association cautioned that continued delays could deepen the manpower crisis in critical medical disciplines and affect the quality and availability of specialised healthcare services.
Key developments in the NEET SS counselling crisis
NEET SS Round 2 counselling has remained stalled for nearly five months.
- The delay stems from a legal dispute involving in-service quota seats and 151 unfilled super-speciality seats in Tamil Nadu.
- FAIMA has sought an urgent hearing before the Supreme Court to resolve the matter.
- The association has urged the Centre and DGHS to allow provisional seat allotments so candidates can begin training without losing the academic year.
- Thousands of qualified doctors remain unable to join DM and M.Ch. programmes, while hospitals continue to face shortages of specialised resident doctors.
What happens next?
The future of the NEET SS admission process now depends on the outcome of the ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court. Until the legal dispute is resolved or an interim arrangement is approved, Round 2 counselling is expected to remain on hold.Medical associations have maintained that an early resolution is essential not only to protect the careers of aspiring super-speciality doctors but also to ensure that hospitals receive the trained workforce needed to meet growing healthcare demands.
