.webp&w=384&q=75){kind=logo}
Loading, please wait...
Loading, please wait...
The NEET-PG cut-off reduction has raised critical questions about medical education standards in India. On Monday, the Supreme Court of India declared it would examine if the lower qualifying marks for 2025-26 impact postgraduate quality. A bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe noted that the issue requires careful reflection. Although candidates are already licensed doctors, the court remains concerned about the drastic nature of the percentile drop. Consequently, the matter is scheduled for a further hearing on March 24.
The Union health ministry defended the NEET-PG cut-off reduction in a detailed affidavit. According to the Centre, the decision addresses the massive number of vacant seats in government and private colleges. Specifically, over 9,000 seats remained unfilled after the second round of counselling. The government argued that the entrance exam is a filtering tool, not a certification of basic clinical competence. Furthermore, they pointed out that percentile reductions have occurred previously, including a drop to zero in 2023. Therefore, the current move aligns with existing administrative practices to prevent public resource wastage.
Petitioners argue that lowering the bar to the 7th percentile for general candidates and zero for others violates constitutional articles. They claim that such a NEET-PG cut-off reduction might dilute the merit-based system of postgraduate specialization. Additionally, the NBEMS informed the court that nearly 96,000 additional candidates became eligible following the January 13 notice. The court will now determine if the policy justification of preventing seat wastage outweighs the need to maintain academic rigour. This decision will significantly influence the future of medical residency entries in India.
Q1: Why was the NEET-PG cut-off reduction implemented?
The reduction was aimed at preventing large-scale seat vacancies in both government and private medical institutions after initial counselling rounds.
Q2: What are the new qualifying scores for the 2025-26 session?
The general category cut-off dropped to the 7th percentile (103 marks), while the SC/ST/OBC category was reduced to the 0th percentile (-40 marks).
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or replace professional judgment. Refer to the latest local and national guidelines for clinical practice.
References
Read summarized clinical updates, watch expert medical content, and earn CME certifications right from your smartphone.
Open your smartphone camera to scan and install.
The Supreme Court evaluates the impact of the drastic NEET-PG 2025-26 cut-off reduction on medical education quality and seat vacancy management in India....
6 months ago
A new study reveals that lipid-related metabolic dysregulation, marked by elevated TG/HDL-C ratio and glymphatic changes, independently impacts survival in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Today
Explore real-world data showing how private oncogenetics and molecular tumor boards achieve 3-week consult turnaround, high ctDNA actionability, and vital germline variant detection, enhancing individualized cancer care and familial risk assessment.
Today
A meta-analysis of 13 propensity score-matched studies shows ViV-TAVR delivers lower early mortality and reduced bleeding compared to redo-SAVR for degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valves, though long-term hemodynamics warrant careful anatomical and patient-centered evaluation.
Today
Endoscopic posterior cervical fusion combines minimally invasive decompression, joint preparation, and rigid screw-rod fixation for atlantoaxial pathologies. Early clinical findings demonstrate solid bony union, excellent symptom relief, and minimal soft-tissue morbidity without significant vascular compromise.
Yesterday
The All-India Food Processors' Association has approached the Supreme Court to oppose FSSAI's proposed per-100g benchmark for front-of-pack warning labels, advocating instead for a per-serving threshold. We explore the regulatory showdown, nutritional evidence, and implications for clinical lifestyle counseling.
Today
