Summary
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially announced that there will be no Special Stray Vacancy Round for NEET-PG 2025 admissions.
The decision was communicated through a formal notification issued by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB).
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially announced that there will be no Special Stray Vacancy Round for NEET-PG 2025 admissions. The decision was communicated through a formal notification issued by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), bringing clarity to the admission process for postgraduate medical courses.
According to the notification, the matter was settled following the dismissal of related petitions by the Supreme Court of India. While the court had permitted stakeholders to submit representations to the Central Government, the competent authority did not grant approval for conducting any additional counselling round.
The NMC has reiterated that February 28, 2026, remains the final deadline for completing NEET-PG 2025 admissions. It has clearly stated that any admission granted beyond this cut-off date will be treated as invalid and unauthorised. The move reinforces the commission’s intent to maintain transparency and adherence to a fixed academic schedule.
The counselling framework for postgraduate medical admissions is based on the timeline previously upheld by the Supreme Court in the case of Ashish Ranjan vs. Union of India and Others. As per this ruling, all admissions must strictly follow the schedule prescribed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
In its latest directive, the NMC has instructed all State Governments, Union Territories, and medical institutions to comply fully with the established guidelines. Authorities have been specifically advised not to conduct any independent or additional counselling rounds for postgraduate or super-specialty seats beyond the approved schedule.
The commission has also issued a strict warning that any deviation from the official timeline will invite action, including the cancellation of admissions made outside the prescribed process. Stakeholders have been urged to follow the notified procedures carefully to ensure the integrity and uniformity of the admission process across the country.
Read the official notice here.
Last updated on 03 Apr 2026
