New Delhi, Feb. 4 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the central government's response to a plea seeking the cancellation of the third round of All India Quota (AIQ) counselling for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduates (NEET-PG). The petition, filed by approximately 50 candidates, seeks a fresh conduct of counselling.

The petitioners have alleged that during the initial round of counselling, some candidates were given undue advantages, which resulted in others being deprived of seats that would have otherwise been available to them.

"It is submitted that the act of the Respondent in commencing Round III of AIQ counselling before the State Round of counselling for all the states concluded is in clear violation...