NEET-PG Cut-Off Reduction Sparks Debate: Officials Defend Move to Fill Vacant Medical Seats

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{ "title": "NEET-PG Cut-Off Reduction Sparks Debate: Officials Defend Move to Fill Vacant Medical Seats", "article": "New Delhi: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has defended its decision to reduce the qualifying percentile for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate), or NEET-PG 2025, for reserved-category candidates. The move aims to fill over 18,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats across the country. According to officials, reducing the cut-off percentile will enable more candidates to participate in the third round of counselling, ensuring optimal utilisation of available seats. The qualifying percentile for the general category has been lowered from 50th to 7th percentile, while reserved-category candidates can score as low as negative 40 out of 800 to participate. NBEMS officials argue that all NEET-PG candidates are already MBBS graduates and fully qualified medical practitioners eligible for postgraduate training. They point out that the cut-off reduction has been adopted in previous years under similar circumstances, citing the example of 2023 when the Union health ministry reduced the qualifying percentile to zero across all categories. However, the decision has drawn criticism from sections of the medical fraternity, who argue it reflects a worrying decline in academic standards in medical education. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has written to the Union health minister demanding the withdrawal of the NBEMS notice and restoration of a reasonable, merit-based cut-off. On the other hand, several professionals and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have welcomed the NBEMS' decision. They argue that NEET-PG is a merit list for studying in PG medical courses and not a quality test of doctors. All MBBS graduates appearing for NEET-PG exams are allowed to practice privately and will still have to study three-year PG medical courses, learn in hospitals, and pass exams to become specialised doctors. The NEET-PG 2025 exam was conducted on August 3, 2025, and results were declared on August 19. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducted the first and second rounds of counselling in October-November and late November and early December, respectively. The MCC is expected to announce the schedule for the third round shortly."