Rajasthan High Court Big Update: Special Stray Vacancy Round Likely for NEET PG 2025-26 Vacant Seats
In the latest update for NEET PG 2025–26 counselling, the Rajasthan High Court has stepped in regarding the issue of vacant postgraduate medical seats in private colleges. Observing that hundreds of seats remain unfilled even after all counselling rounds, the court has directed authorities to consider conducting a special stray vacancy round before the final deadline so that no PG medical seats go to waste.
In a major development for NEET PG 2025-26 aspirants, the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, Jodhpur has issued important directions regarding the filling of vacant postgraduate medical seats in private medical colleges.
The case (S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 7083/2026 & 7086/2026) was filed by private medical institutions seeking permission to conduct a special stray vacancy round after multiple counselling rounds ended with a large number of vacant seats.
Highlights of the Case
| Particular | Details |
| Court | Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur Bench) |
| Case Numbers | 7083/2026 & 7086/2026 |
| Petitioners | Pacific Medical College, PIMS Udaipur & Associated Trusts |
| Respondents | NEET PG Counselling Board, Govt. of India, NMC |
| Issue | Vacant PG medical seats after counselling |
| Vacant Seats | 79 + 169 seats remained unfilled |
Why Petition Was Filed?
Even after completion of all counselling rounds including Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and Stray Vacancy Round, a large number of PG medical seats remained vacant in Rajasthan.
The petitioners argued that:
- 1. Medical seats should not go waste
- 2. Meritorious students are losing opportunities
- 3. Institutions are suffering academic and financial loss
- 4. Supreme Court & High Courts have earlier allowed institutional stray rounds
Final Court Direction
The High Court disposed of the petition with the following direction:
Authorities must consider the petitioners' representation and take a decision regarding conducting a special stray vacancy round to fill vacant PG seats, preferably before the cutoff date (31 March 2026).
Court Observations
The Rajasthan High Court clearly observed that:
- 1. PG medical seats must not remain vacant
- 2. Authorities failed to announce any further counselling schedule
- 3. There is a need to take action to fill remaining seats
The court also referred to:
- Supreme Court direction (25 March 2026) – Representation to Central Government
- Bombay High Court Order (12 March 2026) – Allowed institutional stray round
- Madhya Pradesh High Court Order (26 March 2026) – Directed authorities to fill vacant seats
