Madurai
The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association has urged the state government not to take any fresh “risk” in the NEET Super Specialty (NEET SS) process, saying there is a possibility that seats surrendered to the central pool could come back if the qualifying percentile is reduced.
State president Srinivasan said that after prolonged legal efforts, 215 of the total 430 super specialty seats were secured for Tamil Nadu government doctors. He noted that doctors who have completed postgraduate studies typically aim to choose their preferred DM or MCh speciality, and those who do not obtain the required entrance score often attempt again the following year.
He pointed out that candidates scoring below the 50th percentile do not get seats. This year, 64 candidates secured seats at the 50th percentile level, after which 151 unfilled seats were handed over for central allotment.
According to him, if the qualifying percentile is lowered from 50 to 40 in the next round of counselling, more seats may be filled at the all-India level and the remaining seats could be returned to Tamil Nadu. He cited an example: if 51 of the 151 seats remain vacant, 50% of those—about 25 seats—could be reallotted to the state.
Srinivasan also said many super specialty-qualified doctors in Tamil Nadu are working in departments unrelated to their training due to lack of posts in government hospitals. The association has asked the state to create 350 additional assistant professor posts to enable immediate appointments for those completing super specialty courses.
