NEET SS 2025: No Stipend Refund For Round 1 Work

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has clarified that candidates who were upgraded to a new seat in Round 2 of the NEET SS 2025 counselling process will not have to refund the stipend they earned while working at their initial institute.

This decision comes after several candidates who were allotted seats in Round 1 had joined their respective institutions and started their duties before being upgraded to new seats in Round 2.

According to the NBEMS notice, the stipend paid for the period during which a candidate actually joined and performed clinical duties will be treated as payment for the work carried out. It will not be considered an advance or provisional payment that can be recovered after a candidate is upgraded in the next round of counselling.

Candidates who receive an upgraded seat in Round 2 are required to report to the newly allotted institute within the timeline prescribed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). As a result, they are relieved from the institute where they had joined based on their Round 1 allotment.

NBEMS has directed accredited institutions not to recover the stipend paid to such candidates for the period they actually worked. The board said the decision was taken keeping in mind the circumstances surrounding the NEET SS 2025 counselling process and the principles of fairness and natural justice.

The counselling process for the academic session was significantly delayed due to litigation before the Supreme Court and various High Courts. During this period, candidates who had joined institutes after their Round 1 allotment continued to work and perform the clinical duties assigned to them.

Therefore, NBEMS has clarified that the stipend earned for that period is due payment for the services rendered by the candidates.

In cases where an institute may have already started recovering or has recovered the stipend from a candidate following Round 2 upgradation, NBEMS has directed that any such recovery that is inconsistent with the clarification must be withdrawn. If the amount has already been recovered, the concerned institute must refund it to the candidate without delay.

All NBEMS-accredited institutions have been directed to comply with the instructions.

NBEMS has further asked institutions to relieve candidates upgraded in Round 2 on priority after completion of the required formalities. This is intended to ensure that candidates do not miss the reporting deadline at their newly allotted institutes.

Candidates who have been upgraded will need to complete the formalities at their current institute and report to the newly allotted institute within the timeline specified by MCC.

The clarification by NBEMS brings relief to candidates who were upgraded in Round 2 and were uncertain about the stipend they earned during their initial period of work.

The decision is a significant development in the NEET SS 2025 counselling process, which has been marked by delays and uncertainties. The clarification by NBEMS is expected to bring clarity and fairness to the process, and ensure that candidates are not unfairly penalized for circumstances beyond their control.

In conclusion, the NBEMS clarification on the stipend rule for Round 2 upgraded candidates is a welcome move that upholds the principles of fairness and natural justice. It is expected to bring relief to affected candidates and ensure a smooth transition to their new institutes.