Allied Healthcare (GAHC)

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has made a significant announcement for all NEET UG 2025 candidates. The option filling and locking option for round 1 counselling has been extended up to August 11, 2025, 11:59 PM. This provides students with additional time to choose and lock their desired medical and dental colleges carefully prior to the first round of seat allocation.

What is Choice Filling and Locking?

Choice filling is when the candidates prioritize their desired colleges and courses in order of preference on the MCC official counselling portal. Locking is when the choices are confirmed so that the system can take them into consideration when giving out seats. Choices cannot be altered once they are locked except when the deadline arrives and they can be unlocked.

Why was the Deadline Extended?

The MCC also extended the deadline following several requests from applicants, with some experiencing technical issues while making choices on the MCC's official portal mcc.nic.in. The authorities did not want any student to miss the opportunity to choose their desired seats securely in a timely manner because of last-minute technical issues or delays.

Key highlights

• Choice filling and locking till: August 11, 2025 (11:59 PM)
• Round 1 seat allotment result on: August 11 or shortly thereafter
• Candidates should visit the MCC website periodically for updates.

How to Fill and Lock Choices?

1. Go to the MCC official website at mcc.nic.in.
2. Login via your NEET 2025 roll number and password or application number.
3. Scroll through the list of available colleges and courses.
4. Choose preferred colleges in choice order.
5. Lock your choices prior to the deadline to ensure confirmation.
6. Save and download the confirmation slip for future use.

After declaring the round 1 seat allotment results, the candidates who have been allotted a seat have to report for admission formalities to the respective college within the provided timelines. Candidates who do not receive a seat or who are not content with the seat allotted can opt to attend later counselling rounds.

MCC has also implemented priority groups for Non-Resident Indians (NRI) and their family members for All India Quota seats. Candidates are recommended to enter preferences judiciously since seat allotment relies upon rank, preference, reservation criteria, and available seats. Check the official MCC website regularly for updates and notifications in real-time.

Extension of choice filling deadline to August 11 assists candidates in making definite final career decisions confidently and prevents anxiety due to last-minute mistakes or site problems. It also demonstrates MCC's concern for a transparent and just counselling process for India's next generation doctors and dentists.

Ganesh festival celebration money collection from students of Kurnool Medical College (KMC), suspected by a group of first year MBBS students as a case of ragging, has raised a scare among parents and the authorities. Again, the administration of the college categorically ruled out the occurrence of any case of ragging.

When going for fine collection, some of the senior students were said to have acted violently, and harassed first year students in their hostel rooms. Could no longer take pressure anymore, some of the first year students complained to the college authorities, and thus there was general alarm.

The problem soon snowballed, and attracted the wrath of the National Medical Commission (NMC), which acted decisively. The NMC requested the college administration to submit a report on the problem in detail.

Fueling the flames further, State Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav stepped in, calling up the college principal, and requesting him to explain.

No ragging had taken place: KMC principal

He said that such incidents were bringing a bad reputation to medical institutions, and promised strict action if the complaints were proved to be true.

The Health Minister also told the principal to put forward the report of the Anti-Ragging Committee at the earliest. There would be no leniency towards any harassment or misbehavior by seniors in educational institutions, he declared.

But in a press statement issued on Saturday, Dr K Chitti Narasamma, the principal of the medical college, went flat out and stated categorically that there had been no ragging.

Referring to the results of the in-house inquiry, she said, "There is no substance to the ragging allegations. The college Anti-Ragging Committee made an in-depth inquiry, one-to-one with students, and recorded statements in writing. During the investigation, nowhere were the students in a position to establish instances of ragging."

The principal himself, however, clarified that money collection was a part of regular annual festival activity utilized to be traditionally arranged by hostel students and not on a ragging basis.

Additionally, she assured that in case any student is harassed or disturbed under the guise of Ganesh celebrations, action will be initiated.

In addition to this, alumni and students have also put forward requests for more openness, requesting that the college give preference to student welfare and make such festivals voluntary rather than based on competition between juniors and seniors or coercion

Mumbai has now raised the bar on inclusive education with the launch of the first university-certified Certificate and Diploma level courses focused on training neurodivergent adults of any age. Led by HSNC University and supported by the Skill Shakti Community, this pioneering pilot program meets the college education and professional working skills demanded of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities, or other neurodivergent conditions.

What is so Unique About This Course?

Known as InclusivEd, the program allows neurodivergent adults over the age of 16, who are functionally literate and familiar with standard digital tools, to receive official certification by a university. The course is characterized by:

• 2 tiers of certification: Diploma entailing 80 credits, emphasizing on autonomy, decision-making and preparedness to workplaces. Additionally, a Foundation Certificate that takes 20 credits focusing on fundamental life skills and digital literacy.
• Learner-controlled, flexible, and self-paced learning. It is made to enable the learner to study at their own pace which builds confidence and comfort.
• Alignment with India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Internships and micro-business projects as part of academic credits are added.

Empowering the Neurodivergent Adult Skills

InclusivEd equips learners with practical, real-world skills such as:

• Daily life management and independence
• Digital literacy and communication tools
• Workplace readiness and soft skills
• Hands-on experience via internships with corporate partners and community businesses

Participants have engaged in diverse projects like running Instagram-based micro-businesses, culinary ventures, artwork creation, and internships at hospitality giants, enhancing their employability.

Why is this program important?

1. Formal academic recognition: Neurodivergent adults are, for the first time, able to get a certification in university, which offers a valuable credential that is also accepted in the work place.
2. Workforce Inclusion: Diploma holders are considered to have been trained professionally and are willing partners, thus break stereotypes, and make hiring more inclusive.
3. Altering Perceptions: Works on the mindset to go more than charity, as neurodivergent people are good professionals.

Success Leads Through Supporting and Collaborating

Major organisations like the Gateway School and Taj Group of Hotels are also working in unison, providing opportunities that include internships and employment opportunities. As HSNC University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hemlata Bagla explained, InclusivEd is an expression of accessibility, flexibility, and human nature in education.

Who Can Apply?

Adult neurodivergent persons 16 and older with functional literacy and very basic digital skills, who want to learn in a supportive context. The aptitude of the candidate to the program is decided through an informal interview.

The Indian society and economy that could be affected The potential impact on the Indian society and economy.

This is the first move in Mumbai that has the potential to change the teaching and job opportunities of neurodivergent individuals in India. It opens the gateway to respectful jobs and inclusion in society, as well as allows stakeholders, including families and employers, to see the true potential of neurodiverse talents by offering formal skills and tracking certifications.

To students, teachers and activists in need of new ideas on pushing forward inclusive education, the InclusivEd program in Mumbai provides a ray of hope and a gateway to real possibilities.

President Draupadi Murmu, at the first convocation of AIIMS-Deoghar, instructed the young doctors to be absolutely clinical in their surgery and diagnosis, but they should not be clinical in their manner. President in her address stated that doctors are the mortal form of God on the earth, and lakhs of people have expectations from them.

The President reached Ranchi on Thursday afternoon during her two-day Jharkhand trip to take part in the convocation ceremonies of AIIMS Deoghar and IIT Dhanbad.

"You must be totally clinical in surgery and diagnosis, but not be clinical in practice," the President declared. It's a big thing to become a good doctor, but to become a good human being is an even greater thing, she further added.

Advice with courtesy, she further added. "We have faith in God, we have faith in Baba Baidyanath, but it does not possess legs and hands. You are a representative of God; hence, you are a living God," President said.

The President also wished that culture and excellence is being initiated with this convocation. She also congratulated students who graduated and who excelled.

The President was delighted with the information that there are now more girls who were awarded medals in the convocation. She mentioned that the ratio of boys and girls at AIIMS Deoghar has now become nearly equal.

The President informed the students that admission in AIIMS and education is a promise that they become a proficient doctor. "You need to be a good doctor. A good doctor should also possess the power of sensitive communication," she said. "We have also encountered such doctors, the patients and their relatives begin to feel alright just after meeting them," she added.

“You can bring light into the lives of countless people. You can also play a role in building the society by making good use of the place that nature and circumstances and your skill and hard work have given you in the society,” said the President. She added that she would like them to contribute in primary medical treatment as well.

The President, in her second day of visit, will be present at the 45th convocation ceremony of IIT-ISh (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad.

The provisional merit list for medical, dental, ayurvedic, and homeopathic courses was released by the Gujarat admission committee of professional medical educational courses (ACPUGMEC) on Thursday, providing relief to aspiring medical students from across Gujarat.

This year's merit cut-off will probably fall by a minimum of 100 marks compared to the previous year. Even though last year's admission was finally finalized at 430 marks in 2024, this year's cut-off will probably reduce to at least 330 marks, allowing lower-ranked students to secure MBBS seats.

Most of the decline in cut-off scores is observed in the overall candidate performance. The top scorer for last year's NEET test was the state's top scorer at 720 marks, while this year's state's highest merit level stands at only 657 marks — a decline of 63 marks in the highest. This can be observed at colleges such as BJ Medical College, where last year's final open category admission was at 699 marks.

For this year, 25,188 PINs were issued for NEET-based admissions and 24,117 candidates registered. Out of these, 24,845 were subject to the document verification and 736 candidates were disqualified due to other reasons. The final merit list contains 24,374 eligible candidates competing for 15,988 seats in various medical courses.

These 15,988 seats are shared in 6,700 MBBS (medicine), 1,255 BDS (dentistry), 3,473 BAMS (ayurveda) and 8,033 BHMS (homeopathy) seats in a total number of 187 institutions — 38 medical, 13 dental, 44 ayurveda and 92 homeopathy.

As the first round of all-India quota admissions has to be over by Aug 11, choice-filling for Gujarat state quota admissions will commence after Aug 7. Seat allotment under the state quota will probably be conducted after Aug 11.

The merit list reflects mixed representation under different categories like 4,652 candidates from EWS category (2,726 females and 1,926 males), 5,364 from the open category (3,313 females and 2,051 males), and numerous others from SC, ST and SEBC categories, putting together 24,374 eligible candidates.

In a firm administrative step, the Uttar Pradesh government has dropped four government doctors who were persistently absent from work for long durations without sanction. The action, directed on the instructions of the Deputy Chief Minister and carried out by the Principal Secretary of Health, follows ongoing probes into staff discipline and public service delivery within the state's healthcare facilities.

The doctors whose services have been withdrawn are Dr. Rajkumar, a pediatrician who was deputed at Pilibhit District Hospital; Dr. Vinay Kumar Saini of Jalalabad Community Health Centre in Shahjahanpur; and Dr. Shashi Bhushan Dobhal, posted at Ambedkarnagar to Unnao—both of whom were found missing for an extended period of time without leave. Dr. Avneesh Kumar Singh, a serving Assistant Professor in the Orthopaedics Department at Kannauj Government Medical College, has also been removed for the same reasons.

Additionally, three other doctors are being proceeded against departmentally for negligence and unauthorized absence. Dr. Rakhi Soni, a dental surgeon at the Kishani Community Health Centre in Mainpuri, is being questioned for being absent without sanctioned leave. In Prayagraj, Deputy CMO Dr. Anand Singh, and Dr. Ashok Kumar of the Chhata CHC in Mathura, are being enquired into for suspected negligence while treating a grievously injured patient.

Initial investigations have revealed derelictions in all the three cases, which led to filing of charges and disciplinary proceedings. Again, Dr. D.C. Srivastava, Head, Orthopaedics, a state government medical college, has been summoned to clarify charges of not performing OPD work within scheduled time.

Under parallel infrastructure development, the government has sanctioned the installation of X-ray machines at the 50-bed hospital at Kithore (Meerut) and the 100-bed hospital at Lalganj (Azamgarh). The sum of ₹27 lakh has been sanctioned for each of the two facilities to improve diagnostic services for the local populace.

The recent events point to the renewed interest of the state government in enforcing attendance and accountability levels within the healthcare system, especially in rural and semi-urban hospitals where staffing shortages have traditionally affected service provision.