NEET PG Counselling 2025 Schedule, AISSEE 2026 New Schools, Assam Zero Girl Dropout & SC Mental Health Directive

Oct 28, 2025

Published: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

MCC Releases NEET PG Counselling 2025 Schedule

The Medical Counselling Committee today released the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) counselling schedule for 2025, according to the official announcement available at mcc.nic.in. The National Board of Examinations for Medical Sciences (NBEMS) confirmed that seat matrix verification was completed on October 23, followed by the opening of choice filling and locking options from October 28 to November 5.

Comprehensive Four-Round Counselling Process

The NEET PG seat allotment process will commence on November 6 and conclude on November 7, with Round 1 results announced on November 8. Successful candidates must report to their allotted institutions between November 9 and 15. There will be four rounds of All India Quota counselling: AIQ Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and a Stray Vacancy Round.

All candidates who qualified for All India Quota seats based on their NEET PG rank are eligible to participate in the counselling process, with registration for Round 1 already underway. The Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is responsible for conducting online counselling for 50% All India Quota PG medical and dental seats.

Institutional Coverage and Seat Distribution

MCC will conduct counselling for multiple institutional categories including 50% All India Quota seats of all states (with Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir's participation subject to their seat contribution), 100% seats of central universities covering both AIQ and institutional quota seats, 100% seats of deemed universities, and 50% AIQ PG seats of colleges under the Employee State Insurance Corporation for wards of ESIC insured persons.

Additionally, counselling covers all PG seats of Armed Forces Medical Services Institutions (registration part only) and central institutes, including VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, ABVIMS and RML Hospital, and ESIC Institute PGIMSR Basaidarapur, covering both 50% AIQ seats and 50% seats of IP University.

NTA Adds Three New Sainik Schools as AISSEE 2026 Registration Closes

The National Testing Agency announced that registration for the All India Sainik School Entrance Exam (AISSEE) 2026 will close on October 30, 2025, according to an official statement. The entrance test is mandatory for admission to Class VI and Class IX in Sainik Schools and newly approved institutions across the country for the 2026-2027 academic session.

Expansion of Sainik School Network

According to the latest update, three additional schools have been added to the Sainik School network: Yogeshwari Sainik School in Ambajogai, Maharashtra; Vadem Nagar Higher Secondary School in Goa; and Srri SPK Public Senior Secondary School in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. Currently, admissions are open for 69 existing and 19 newly authorised Sainik Schools for Class VI and Class IX, with the three new additions expanding access to quality education under the Sainik School Society's national network.

Examination Structure and Application Timeline

NTA is conducting AISSEE 2026 in pen-and-paper mode using OMR sheets with multiple-choice questions. The Class VI exam carries 300 marks over 150 minutes, including 25 language questions (50 marks), 50 mathematics questions (150 marks), and 25 intelligence questions (50 marks). The Class IX examination lasts 180 minutes and will be conducted only in English.

The AISSEE 2026 examination is scheduled for January 2026, with results expected within four to six weeks after the exam. The application fee is ₹850 for General, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and wards of Defence personnel and ex-servicemen, while SC and ST candidates pay ₹700. Candidates can pay application fees until October 31, 2025, with a correction window open from November 2-4, 2025.

Assam Achieves Zero School Dropout Rate Among Girls

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced today that the state has achieved a zero school dropout rate among girls at higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, according to an official statement. The Chief Minister credited this milestone to the government's flagship 'Nijut Moina' scheme during his address at the Bhogeshwar Baruah Sports Complex.

Dramatic Increase in Female Enrollment

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Sarma revealed that the scheme has benefited 3,50,256 girl students, up from 1,61,302 last year, reflecting a sharp rise in female enrollment. He noted that the milestone marks a major step forward in Assam's education reforms, fulfilling the scheme's goal of achieving zero dropouts.

Impact on Child Marriage Prevention

Sarma emphasised that the Nijut Moina initiative has played a crucial role in curbing child marriage. He recalled 2021 data revealing alarming rates in districts such as Dhubri, Mankachar, and Barpeta, where the practice was widespread. The Chief Minister noted that child marriage had deeply affected society and that nearly 7,000 individuals were arrested in 2023 as part of the state's crackdown on the practice.

Expanded Financial Support and Employment Initiatives

The Chief Minister announced that from November 15, all students appearing for matriculation exams will receive ₹300 per month to buy books and educational materials. The scheme will also expand to cover girls in the 3rd Year, 5th Semester, and those enrolled in polytechnic and ITI institutes. Reiterating his government's commitment to women's empowerment, Sarma announced plans to create 1 lakh new jobs with special focus on opportunities for women.

Sarma concluded with a call for a "new Assam," one where women are "respected, cherished, and empowered." He warned of strict legal action against crimes targeting women, including polygamy, reaffirming the state's stance on gender justice.

Supreme Court Directs States to Implement Mental Health Guidelines

The Supreme Court has instructed all states and Union Territories to submit detailed reports within eight weeks on how they are implementing the pan-India guidelines issued to combat suicides and mental-health issues in educational institutions, according to today's court order. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has also given the Central government eight weeks to file its compliance affidavit outlining enforcement steps.

Comprehensive 15-Point Directive Framework

In its verdict, the Supreme Court issued 15 binding guidelines requiring all educational institutions to adopt uniform mental-health policies, ensure staffing of counsellors or referral linkages, and regulate private coaching centres through mandatory registration and grievance redressal mechanisms. The Court noted a serious "legislative and regulatory vacuum" in student mental-health protection and emphasised that guidelines remain in force until suitable legislation or regulatory frameworks are enacted by competent authorities.

Mandatory Institutional Requirements

Among key directions, institutions with 100 or more students must appoint at least one qualified counsellor, while smaller institutions need formal referral linkages. Training of staff, career counselling, safety infrastructure, including tamper-proof fans in hostels, and public display of suicide helpline numbers like Tele-MANAS are mandated.

The guidelines place special focus on coaching hubs such as Kota, Jaipur, and Hyderabad, where competitive exam pressure has been linked to higher student suicide rates. During the recent hearing, the Court directed that states and UTs be impleaded as respondents and file responses within eight weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for January 2026.

Significance for Educational Policy

The Supreme Court's intervention signals a significant shift: student mental health and suicide prevention are no longer peripheral issues but key components of educational policy and institutional accountability. Delayed progress or lax implementation could invite further judicial oversight or directives. The coming weeks will test how swiftly states and institutions translate policy directions into action through mental-health frameworks, counsellor hiring, coaching centre regulation, and data transparency.