Understanding Neet PG counseling 2024: All you need to know

Deep understanding of the process of counseling for Neet PG 2024 is an essential requirement to secure a seat in a postgraduate medical program. The NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses), is the national-level entrance exam for medical aspirants seeking admission to the MD, MS and PG Diploma course. The NEET PG Counseling plays an important role in securing a seat in top medical institutions across India.  

Overview of NEET PG 2024 Counseling

• Important dates related to NEET PG Exam and counseling process: The NEET PG Exam was conducted on August 11, 2024. The result of the exam was declared on August 23, 2024.  As per the latest estimates, the counseling process would be conducted between September and October, 2024. 
• NEET PG Counseling conducting bodies: The All India NEET PG Counseling would be conducted by Directorate General of Health Sciences (DGHS) on behalf of The Medical Council Committee (MCC) in online mode. The State Quota counseling process would be managed by respective State Authorities. 
• Seat Distribution: Online counseling for 50% All India Quota Post-Graduate Medical and Dental seats and also as per the notification issued by the MCI for common counseling, seats in Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Institutions, State Quota seats in government colleges within the state, seats in central universities, seats in Deemed Universities, and State quota seats in private medical institutions within the state.

Importance of NEET PG Counseling:

NEET PG Counseling is a gateway for medical aspirants to secure their seats in the postgraduate medical programs, with a plethora of opportunities for advancing their medical journey with top medical institutes of the country. The diverse seat options available in the counseling provides a wide array of career prospects for candidates. 

Eligibility Criteria for NEET PG Counseling 2024

The candidates who secure a score higher than the cut-off for the NEET PG Exam are eligible to be allowed to participate in the counseling process. In addition to this, there are following requirements as well:

• Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold an MBBS degree or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) or the National Medical Commission (NMC). 

• Internship Completion

Candidates are required to have completed a one-year of rotatory internship by the time of admission. It is generally required as a confirmation of practical experience of the candidate. 

• NEET PG Score

Candidates must have appeared for and secured a valid score in the NEET PG exam. The minimum qualifying percentile varies each year and is determined by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Types of NEET PG Counseling 

NEET PG Counseling in India is characterized based on the type of seats and institutions. A detailed overview of the types of NEET PG counseling:

All India Quota (AIQ) Counseling

• Conducting body: It is being conducted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on behalf of the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC).
• Scope: It covers 50% of the total seats in all government medical colleges and 100% of seats in central institutions like AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and others.
• Eligibility: The candidates who qualify NEET PG can participate in the AIQ counseling. No state domicile requirements are necessary.
• Process: Includes online registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and document verification.

State Quota Counseling

• Conducted Body: It is being conducted by the respective State Governments or State Counseling Authorities.
• Scope: It covers the remaining 50% of the seats in government medical colleges and all seats in state private medical colleges and universities.
• Eligibility: Candidates typically need the domicile of the state they are applying the counseling for or fulfill specific residency criteria set by the state government.
• Process: The process can vary state to state. Each state has its own counseling process, which usually involves registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and document verification.

Deemed Universities Counseling

• Conducted Body: It can be conducted by the individual deemed universities or through a centralized process, that depends on the specified university.
• Scope: It covers all seats in deemed-to-be universities such as Maulana Azad Medical College, MS Ramaiah Medical College, etc.
• Eligibility: Candidates qualified for NEET PG Exam are all eligible, but some deemed universities may have specific eligibility criteria.
• Process: The process can vary between universities, including direct applications or participation in a centralized counseling process.

Central Institutions Counseling

• Conducted Body: Each central institution may conduct its own counseling or be part of a centralized process.
• Scope: Includes institutions like AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and others.
• Eligibility: Candidates need to qualify NEET PG and meet any additional criteria set by the specific institution.
• Process: May involve individual application processes or centralized counseling.

Step-by-step NEET PG Counseling Process 2024

The events taking place in the NEET PG Counseling includes Registration, followed by choice filling and locking, then the counseling result and finally reporting and making the essential fee payment to secure the seat. 

Step 1: Registration

The first step in the NEET PG  Counseling 2024 is ‘Registration for Counseling’ on the official NEET PG 2024 website (https://mcc.nic.in/). By typing in the NEET PG roll number and other required details, complete the online registration form. Ensure that the details filled are all correct, otherwise problems would be faced at the later stage of Document verification.

Registration for Counseling:

• Visit the official website and click on “ New Registration” .
• Register yourself by typing in the Neet pg roll number and other details as asked.  
• After entering the details, click on ‘Submit tab’ .
• After successful registration, next step involves logging in with login ID and chosen password and filling in the application form
• Next, a candidate needs to enter the details, personal and academic both.
• Cross check the application form before submission and fee payment.
• Then finalize the application fee, and you are good to go.

Step 2: Payment of NEET PG Counseling Fees

After successful registration, candidates must pay the prescribed NEET PG counseling fees. The fee structure for NEET PG counseling is mentioned below:

NEET PG 2024 counseling fee

Step 3: Choice Filling and Locking

Candidates have to make preferences and choices for colleges and courses based on the factors such as their ranks, interests and eligibility. It is important to note that College authorities give seats in government colleges according to the student’s preference. Hence, prefer putting the government institutions higher in your choice filling. Ensure you lock your choices before the deadline, as changes cannot be made afterwards.

Step 4: Seat Allotment

Seat allotment lists are based on various factors such as NEET PG ranks, preferences, and seat availability. The NEET PG counseling result would be available on the official website. 

Step 5: Reporting to Allotted Medical College

Candidates having their name in the seat allotment list must report to the respective college within the stipulated time frame. Ensure carrying all necessary documents for the verification process.  

Documents required at the time of NEET PG counseling 2024

• NEET PG admit card 2024
• NEET PG 2024 result/rank letter
• Class X marksheet/ birth certificate
• Marksheets of MBBS
• MBBS Degree Certificate
• Internship Completion Certificate
• Permanent/provisional registration certificate issued by MCI/ SMC
• Valid, non-expired and authentic photo ID proof (PAN card/Driving license/Voter ID/Passport/Aadhar card)
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Non-creamy layer Certificate (if applicable)
• Disability Certificate (if applicable)

Note: The Document Verification is an offline process. Hence, candidates must be present physically for verification of documents and confirmation of the allocated seat. In case they fail to report to the allocated institute, their candidature will be rejected.

 NEET PG 2024 Counseling Round 1: Options to Choose

Candidates have to choose the options based on their status soon after the seat allotment result for the first round NEET PG counseling. They have to choose out of the following options in order  to give their confirmation to participate in the further round of counseling for NEET PG. 

Option 1: The first option being 'free exit'. The seat allotted to a particular candidate during NEET PG counseling 2024 round one, gets automatically canceled if he/she doesn't report to the allotted institute within the given duration of time.

Option 2: In case the candidate is satisfied with the seat allotted to him/her in round one of NEET PG 2024 counseling and reports to the allocated colleges for the document verification within the given timeframe, secures the seat.

Option 3: The thyroid option available to those who are not satisfied with the allotted seat in the first round, can apply for the up-gradation of seats and participate in the next round of counseling. In certain cases, if a seat is not upgraded in the second round of NEET PG 2024 counseling, then seat allotted in the first round will be retained.