Karnataka HC Extends NEETPG AIQ R-3 Joining Deadline to 9th Feb, Cancels Karnataka Mop-Up Round Allotments

In a major decision impacting NEETPG 2024 counseling, the Karnataka High Court has extended the deadline for candidates allotted seats in the R-3 of All India Quota (AIQ) counseling to join their respective colleges until 5:00 PM on 9th Feb 2025. The court also canceled the allotments made in the mop-up (third) round of Karnataka state counseling, citing violations of KEA’s own eligibility criteria.

The Case and Outline

The ruling came in response to Writ Petition No. 2848/2025, filed by a group of NEETPG aspirants, including Dr. Akshay U. Thuppad and others, who alleged that the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) had wrongfully allowed ineligible candidates to participate in the mop-up round, depriving rightful aspirants of their chances.

A division bench comprising Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice Vijaykumar A. Patil found that KEA had failed to follow the eligibility conditions outlined in its own brochure, which clearly stated that candidates allotted seats in the third round of AIQ counseling were not eligible to participate in the Karnataka mop-up round. Despite this, KEA permitted such candidates to submit fresh options and secure seats in state counseling, leading to legal action by the petitioners.

Karnataka HC Ruling

• All seats wrongly allotted in the Karnataka mop-up round, in violation of KEA’s brochure, are to be revoked immediately.
• Candidates who were allotted seats in AIQ R-3 but participated in KEA counseling due to KEA’s error will be given time until 5:00 PM on February 9, 2025, to join their AIQ-allocated seats.
• Candidates who had secured seats in KEA’s R-3 but were later found ineligible must receive a full refund of any fees paid.
• Eligible candidates who were deprived of seats due to KEA’s error will now be allowed to participate in the stray vacancy round.
• Non-enforcement of penalty clause
• KEA is directed to ensure that original documents of affected students are returned promptly to facilitate their joining in AIQ seats.

Background

KEA’s mop-up round eligibility criteria explicitly stated that candidates who had already secured a PG medical seat in AIQ R-3 could not participate in state counseling. However, KEA permitted such candidates to submit options, citing a procedural change in AIQ counseling by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC).

The petitioners argued that this led to unfair competition, as some candidates used KEA’s mop-up round to secure better seats, depriving eligible aspirants of their rightful opportunities. The National Medical Commission (NMC) and MCC also supported the stance that KEA had violated its own rules.

Impact

Only eligible candidates will secure seats through KEA counselling and affected candidates who were unfairly denied seats will have a chance in the stray vacancy round.

KEA is now expected to revise its counseling schedule and seat matrix, taking into account the canceled allotments and available vacancies.

This verdict marks a crucial step in streamlining medical admissions, reinforcing the importance of adherence to counseling protocols to maintain equity and transparency in the system.

The Medical Bulletin