The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has urged the Union Health Ministry, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Supreme Court to urgently intervene and resume the stalled National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Super Specialty (NEET SS) counseling process. The association warned that long delays were throwing thousands of qualified doctors into uncertainty while exacerbating a shortage of specialists in hospitals across the country.The second round of NEET SS counseling has been suspended for nearly five months due to the ongoing legal dispute over the in-service super professional seats in Tamil Nadu. FAIMA said the prolonged suspension has not only affected the careers of aspiring specialists but also the functioning of the Indian healthcare system.
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FAIMA seeks emergency Supreme Court hearing
In its appeal, FAIMA asked the Supreme Court to give priority to the pending matters so that admissions could be resumed immediately. The doctors’ body has also appealed to the Union Health Ministry and DGHS to consider provisional seat allotment to enable eligible candidates to start their DM and M.Ch. courses. Training takes place while legal proceedings continue.The association believes that such measures will help prevent the loss of entire academic courses and reduce uncertainty for thousands of doctors waiting to start advanced medical training.
Why is NEET SS coaching delayed?
The advisory process is mired in a legal dispute over the allotment of 151 unfilled super specialty seats under the Tamil Nadu advisory process and issues related to in-service quota. While the first round of counseling has been completed ahead of schedule, the second round of selection filling has been repeatedly postponed and remains suspended until further orders.The unresolved litigation has effectively stalled admissions, resulting in candidates being unable to secure seats despite passing the entrance exams.
Physicians face academic and financial uncertainty
According to FAIMA, long delays have left many doctors facing severe professional and financial pressure. Several candidates resigned from senior residency or other clinical positions after qualifying NEET SS and wanted to join higher professional programs.With enrollment still on hold, many now have no job, regular income or academic progress. The association said the uncertainty was causing severe emotional distress as candidates continued to wait with no clarity on when the consultation process would resume.This delay also disrupts career timelines, delaying the entry of qualified specialists into advanced clinical practice and delaying their contribution to the healthcare system.
Hospitals face shortage of specialists
FAIMA warned that the consultation impasse was also affecting patient care. It has been reported that the number of resident doctors has decreased in super specialty departments in several hospitals, increasing the workload of existing medical professionals.The shortage of interns puts additional pressure on departments that rely heavily on residents to provide specialized services. The association warned that continued delays could exacerbate the workforce crisis in key medical disciplines and impact the quality and availability of specialist care.
Major developments in NEET SS counseling crisis
The second round of counseling for NEET SS has been stalled for nearly five months.
- The delay stems from a legal dispute involving in-service quota seats and 151 unfilled super specialty seats in Tamil Nadu.
- FAIMA has sought an emergency hearing in the Supreme Court to resolve the matter.
- The association has urged the Center and DGHS to allow interim seat allotment so that candidates can start training without losing the academic year.
- Thousands of qualified doctors are still unable to join DM and M.Ch. program, while hospitals still face a shortage of specialized hospitalists.
What happens next?
The future of the NEET SS admission process now depends on the outcome of the ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court. The second round of consultation is expected to remain on hold until the legal dispute is resolved or interim arrangements are approved.The medical association maintains that resolving the issue at the earliest is crucial not only to protect the careers of aspiring superspecialist doctors but also to ensure that hospitals get a well-trained workforce to meet growing healthcare needs.