WP(MD)/31582/2026 of Premalatha C.R.B Vs The Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) on 5 November 2026

ORDER

Seeking to direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to participate in the Special Stray Vacancy Round of MCC NEET UG 2026- 2027 counselling by relieving her from the Round III allotment, notwithstanding her earlier allotment of a MBBS seat and consequently enable her to register and participate in the said counselling, subject to fulfilment of the applicable eligibility criteria and other admission requirements, this writ petition has been filed.

2. When the matter was came up for admission on 04.11.2026, this Court had passed the following order : “2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG 2026) under Application No.260412198362 and Roll No.4106107596 and she has secured 284 marks and obtained All India Rank No. 660105. She participated in the counselling process with the bonafide intention of securing admission in MBBS course. Pursuant to the choices exercised by the petitioner and the results of the Round III counselling conducted by the 1st respondent, she was allotted an MBBS seat at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, under the MCC NEET UG 2026-2027 counselling. The petitioner was genuinely interested in joining the said institution and pursuing the MBBS course.

3. It was further submitted that the reporting period for Round III counselling was scheduled from 01.10.2026 to 09.10.2026. The candidates who were allotted seats were required to report in person to their respective institutions, produce the prescribed original documents for verification and complete the admission formalities including payment of prescribed tuition and registration fee within the stipulated period. In compliance with the admission instructions, the petitioner, with the bonafide intention of completing the admission process, initiated the transfer of prescribed admission fee through the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) facility to the designated bank of the third respondent Institution and also successfully paid a sum of Rs.3,00,000/- on 09.10.2026 at 03.43 p.m. However, owing to an unforeseen delay in the banking transaction and payment processing system, the balance amount could not be credited to the bank account of the Institution within the expected time, consequent to which, the payment was not confirmed within the stipulated period and the petitioner was unable to complete the reporting and admission formalities before the prescribed deadline. Thereafter, the institution had returned the amount of Rs.3 lakhs, which was paid by the petitioner.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the delay in crediting the amount was neither deliberate nor attributable to any willful negligence or intention on the petitioner's part, and she personally attended the institution on 09.10.2026 for verification of her original certificates, thereby demonstrating her genuine intention to secure admission and join the MBBS course. Immediately upon encountering the said difficulty, the petitioner took genuine steps to bring the matter to the notice of the computer authorities and had also sent e-mail representation on 10-10-2026. In response to the e-mail representation dated 10-10-2026, the first respondent advised the petitioner to contact the allotted college and to keep track of the official MCC website for further updates. Accordingly, on 11-10-2026, the petitioner again sent an e-mail representation explaining the circumstances, which caused the delayed credit of payment, reiterating her genuine and bonafide intention.

5. It is the petitioner’s contention that since the petitioner was allotted a seat in the third round of counselling, she will not be permitted to participate in the registration process for Special Stray Vacancy Round of MCC NEET UG 2026-2027 counselling. The part payment which was earlier made by the petitioner has also been refunded, and therefore, she is in a difficult situation, where she lost her seat, which was allotted in the third round of counselling and if she is not permitted to participate in the Special Stray Vacancy Round of MCC NEET UG 2026-2027 counselling, despite having secured well, more than the cut-off mark for Special Stray Vacancy Round of MCC NEET UG 2026- 2027 counselling, which is fixed as 177, the petitioner would be placed in a pathetic situation, where she cannot participate in the stray round as well and hence, she sought the indulgence of this Court.

6. The learned counsel for the first respondent sought for time to get instructions from the authorities.

7. However, considering the fact that the registration of the Special Stray Vacancy Round of MCC NEET UG 2026-2027 counselling would be closed today, 04.11.2026 at 03.00 p.m., and considering the fact that the process of registering for a NEET counselling by the students is very complicated and not easy in managing the same, more particularly by the students, the difficulty suffered by the students, like the petitioner, shall be considered by the respondent authorities with concern and patience.

8. In view of the above, taking this as a special case, the first respondent is directed to permit the petitioner to register her name to participate in Special Stray Vacancy Round of MCC NEET UG 2026-2027 counselling by keeping in mind that she had taken genuine steps by making a part payment of Rs.3,00,000/- at the first instance, which was accepted by the College and the remaining amount could not be paid only because of the online transaction disruption in NEFT facility.”

3. When the matter is taken up for hearing today, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner herein has been facilitated to participate in the stray round counselling.

4. I place appreciation on the efforts taken by Mr.Karthikeya Venkitachalapathy, learned Senior Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the 1st respondent who had taken hectic steps to inform and initiate proper action on the order of this Court, facilitating the petitioner to get her name registered to participate the stray round counselling.

5. Recording the above, this Writ Petition stands disposed of, directing the respondents to facilitate proper participation of the petitioner herein the stray round counselling. It is made clear that the respondents shall facilitate the allotment process as required by the petitioner further. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition stands closed.

6. Post on 162.11.2026 for reporting compliance. 05-11-2026 gbg Note: Issue order copy on 05.11.2026. To

1. The Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) Directorate General Of Health Services (DGHS) Ministry of Health And Family Welfare New Delhi

2. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department Secretariat Chennai

3. The Director Directorate of Medical Education and Research College Road Chennai - 600 006

4. The Secretary The Selection Committee Directorate Of Medical Education And Research No. 152 Periyar EVR High Road Kilpauk Chennai 600 010

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg WP(MD) No. 31582 of 2026 05-11-2026