The Directorate of Medical Education (DME) in Madhya Pradesh has suspended the first round of NEET-PG counselling for 2026 following an interim order from the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur. The court has directed that in-service candidates—doctors already employed in government or autonomous medical colleges—cannot occupy more than 30% of available postgraduate seats in any MD or MS specialty. This halt affects all MBBS graduates awaiting admission to government and autonomous medical colleges across the state and introduces significant uncertainty about when counselling will resume.
NEET-PG counselling round 1 in Madhya Pradesh is suspended indefinitely; admissions will restart only after the High Court issues further orders on how in-service candidate seats and merit scoring should be handled.
Your matched MD/MS/DNB seats
LockedEnter your NEET-PG rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and state — with closing ranks, fees and stipend.
Unlock My College ListWhat the High Court Order Says About In-Service Candidate Seats
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that in-service candidates—MBBS doctors already working in government or autonomous medical colleges—must be limited to a maximum of 30% of total available seats in each postgraduate specialty. This is a critical distinction: the court is not eliminating the 30% reservation for in-service doctors, but rather capping it at that level and preventing any additional advantage.
The court observed that the previous admission procedure was giving in-service candidates a dual benefit: they could access the 30% reserved quota AND receive extra marks for their years of service. The judges found this unfair to fresh MBBS graduates who had scored higher on the NEET-PG exam but were being ranked below in-service candidates due to these incentive marks. By restricting in-service admissions strictly to the 30% quota without additional scoring benefits, the court aims to level the playing field between fresh and in-service candidates.
Why Counselling Has Been Halted and What Happens Next
The DME issued an official notice immediately suspending the first round of NEET-PG counselling following the High Court's interim order. An interim order is a temporary directive issued while a case is still being heard; it remains in force until the court issues a final judgment or new instructions. In this case, the suspension will remain in place until the High Court either passes a final order or issues new directives to the state authorities.
Critically, the DME has not announced a revised date for counselling to resume. The notice states only that admissions will restart once the High Court issues further orders and after state authorities respond to the court's directives. This means NEET-PG aspirants in Madhya Pradesh are in a holding pattern with no confirmed timeline. The next steps depend entirely on the court's review of the state government's response to the interim order.
What Triggered the Court Challenge and Merit List Dispute
Know the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your rank can get
Official round-wise closing ranks with fee and stipend, matched to your rank.
The High Court's intervention came after the merit list prepared by the DME for NEET-PG admissions was legally challenged. A petitioner (or petitioners) filed a case arguing that the admission procedure was unjust because it allowed in-service candidates to benefit from both the 30% quota and additional incentive marks based on their years of service. This combination, the petitioner argued, was disadvantaging fresh MBBS graduates who had scored higher on NEET-PG but were being ranked lower due to the incentive marks given to in-service doctors.
The High Court agreed with this argument. The judges noted that fresh candidates with higher NEET-PG scores were being denied admission while lower-scoring in-service candidates were being selected, creating what the court termed an injustice. This observation prompted the interim order restricting in-service admissions to the 30% quota alone, without additional incentive marks.
How This Affects Fresh MBBS Graduates Awaiting Admission
For fresh MBBS doctors who have cleared NEET-PG and are waiting for counselling in Madhya Pradesh, this suspension creates both uncertainty and potential opportunity. On one hand, the halt delays admission to postgraduate courses, pushing back the start date for MD/MS training and extending the period of waiting. On the other hand, the High Court's ruling—if upheld—may improve the chances of fresh candidates by removing the incentive marks advantage that in-service doctors previously enjoyed.
Fresh candidates with high NEET-PG scores who were previously ranked below in-service candidates due to incentive marks may now find themselves ranked higher once the new merit list is prepared under the court's directive. However, this benefit is not guaranteed until the court issues a final order and the DME prepares a revised merit list. Aspirants should monitor official DME communications for updates on the revised counselling schedule and any changes to the merit list.
Understanding In-Service Candidates and the 30% Quota
In-service candidates are MBBS doctors who are already employed in government or autonomous medical colleges, typically as junior doctors or in non-specialist roles. Many states, including Madhya Pradesh, reserve a portion of postgraduate seats for these candidates to allow them to pursue higher qualifications (MD/MS) while remaining employed. This is intended to encourage doctors already in the government system to upgrade their skills and specialise.
The 30% quota means that in any given MD or MS specialty in Madhya Pradesh's government and autonomous colleges, up to 30% of seats are earmarked for in-service candidates. The remaining 70% are available to fresh candidates and other eligible applicants. The High Court's order does not change this percentage; it simply ensures that in-service candidates cannot exceed 30% and cannot receive additional scoring benefits beyond their NEET-PG marks.
Every kind of PG seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET-PG rank can reach.
What the Suspension Means for the Counselling Timeline
Normally, NEET-PG counselling in a state follows a structured timeline: the merit list is released, candidates register and choose colleges/specialties in order of merit, and admissions are completed in one or more rounds. The suspension of round 1 in Madhya Pradesh disrupts this timeline entirely. Until the High Court issues new directives, no admissions can proceed, no seats can be allocated, and no candidates can be offered admission to postgraduate courses.
The DME's notice does not provide a revised schedule for round 1 or subsequent rounds. This means aspirants cannot plan their next steps with certainty. Some may be waiting to know if they will be admitted in round 1, while others may be preparing for round 2 or stray round counselling. The lack of a clear timeline adds stress and uncertainty to an already competitive and time-sensitive process.
Implications for Government and Autonomous Medical Colleges in MP
The suspension affects admissions to MD and MS courses in all government and autonomous medical colleges across Madhya Pradesh. These institutions cannot proceed with admissions until the court's directive is clarified and a revised merit list is prepared. This also means that postgraduate departments in these colleges may face delays in onboarding new residents, which could impact clinical training and departmental functioning.
Autonomous medical colleges, which have some independence in their operations but still fall under state oversight, are equally bound by the High Court's order. The suspension applies uniformly across all such institutions, ensuring that no college can circumvent the court's directive by proceeding with admissions independently.
What Aspirants Should Do While Waiting for Clarity
NEET-PG aspirants in Madhya Pradesh should regularly check the official DME website and social media channels for updates on the revised counselling schedule. The DME will announce the new date for round 1 counselling once the High Court issues further orders and the state government responds. Aspirants should also keep their contact information updated with the DME to receive notifications.
In the interim, candidates should review their NEET-PG scores, prepare a list of preferred specialties and colleges, and ensure all required documents are ready for counselling. Those who are eligible for in-service candidate status should clarify their position, as the new merit list may affect their ranking. Aspirants should also consider reaching out to the DME's helpline or official channels if they have specific questions about how the court's order affects their eligibility or ranking.
See the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your NEET-PG rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — round-wise closing ranks, fees and stipend for every seat your rank can reach.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Why has NEET-PG counselling round 1 been suspended in Madhya Pradesh?
The Madhya Pradesh High Court issued an interim order directing that in-service candidates cannot occupy more than 30% of postgraduate seats and cannot receive additional incentive marks for their years of service. The DME suspended counselling to comply with this order while the court reviews the state's response and issues further directives.
What is an in-service candidate in NEET-PG counselling?
An in-service candidate is an MBBS doctor already employed in a government or autonomous medical college, typically in a junior or non-specialist role. Many states reserve a portion of postgraduate seats for these candidates to allow them to pursue MD/MS qualifications while remaining employed.
What does the 30% quota for in-service candidates mean?
The 30% quota means that in any MD or MS specialty in Madhya Pradesh's government and autonomous colleges, up to 30% of available seats are reserved for in-service candidates. The remaining 70% are available to fresh candidates and other eligible applicants. The High Court's order ensures in-service admissions do not exceed this 30% limit.
How does the High Court's order affect fresh MBBS graduates?
Fresh candidates may benefit because the court has removed the additional incentive marks that in-service candidates previously received for their years of service. This means fresh candidates with higher NEET-PG scores who were previously ranked below in-service candidates may now rank higher in the revised merit list, improving their chances of admission.
When will NEET-PG counselling resume in Madhya Pradesh?
The DME has not announced a revised date. Counselling will resume only after the High Court issues further orders and the state government responds to the court's directives. Aspirants should monitor the official DME website and channels for updates.
Does the suspension affect all medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh?
Yes, the suspension applies to all government and autonomous medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh offering MD and MS courses. Both types of institutions are bound by the High Court's interim order.
What should I do while waiting for counselling to resume?
Check the official DME website regularly for updates, ensure your contact information is current with the DME, review your NEET-PG score and preferred specialties, prepare required documents, and clarify your eligibility status (fresh or in-service) if applicable. Contact the DME helpline if you have specific questions.
Will the merit list be revised after the court's order?
Yes, the DME will prepare a revised merit list based on the High Court's directive that in-service candidates cannot receive additional incentive marks. This revised list will be used for counselling once the court issues further orders and the state government complies.
NEET-PG aspirants in Madhya Pradesh should remain patient and monitor official DME communications closely for updates on the revised counselling schedule. The High Court's intervention, while causing a temporary delay, may ultimately benefit fresh candidates by ensuring a fairer merit-based selection process. Prepare your documents and preferences in the meantime, and reach out to the DME if you need clarification on how the new rules affect your eligibility.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.