Supreme Court to Examine Impact of Drastic NEET-PG Cut-Off Reduction on Medical Education Standards
The Supreme Court of India announced on Monday that it will conduct a thorough examination into whether the sharp reduction in the qualifying percentile for NEET-PG 2025-26 could adversely affect the standards of postgraduate medical education in the country. This decision comes amid concerns raised about the potential dilution of quality in medical training.
Judicial Concerns Over Educational Quality
Justice Narasimha, presiding over the case, articulated the court's primary apprehension. He emphasized that the bench is "more concerned about adversely affecting the quality of education than anything else." While acknowledging the Union government's argument that NEET-PG is not an entry-level exam like MBBS and that candidates are already qualified doctors, Justice Narasimha stated, "You will have to satisfy us that the reduction of the cutoff so drastically, virtually bringing it to zero and non-existence... does not compromise educational integrity."
He further elaborated that in the context of intense competition for limited postgraduate seats, the court must reflect on whether such a significant lowering of cut-offs could undermine the merit-based selection process essential for maintaining high standards in medical specialization.
Government's Defense and Rationale
In its affidavit submitted to the court, the Centre defended the decision to reduce the qualifying percentiles, arguing that NEET-PG serves a specific purpose distinct from certifying minimum competence. The Union government clarified, "NEET-PG is not to certify minimum competence, which stands established by the MBBS qualification itself of the candidates, but to generate an inter se merit list for allocation of limited postgraduate seats."
The government asserted that NEET-PG scores merely reflect relative performance based on exam design and "cannot be construed as determinative of clinical incompetence." It addressed patient safety concerns by noting that all candidates admitted to postgraduate courses are licensed MBBS doctors legally permitted to practise. During their postgraduate studies, these doctors work under the constant supervision of senior faculty, ensuring clinical oversight.
Background and Context of the Reduction
The decision to slash the qualifying percentile was jointly taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission. This move was prompted by a significant number of vacant postgraduate seats after the initial counselling rounds. For the 2025-26 academic session, approximately 70,000 postgraduate seats were available, with over 2.24 lakh candidates appearing for NEET-PG. Following Round 2 of counselling, a staggering 9,621 all-India quota seats remained unfilled.
A legal plea has challenged a notice issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences on January 13, 2026, which implemented the reduced qualifying percentiles for the third round of NEET-PG 2025-26 counselling. The revised criteria are as follows:
- For unreserved candidates: Reduced from the 50th percentile to the 7th percentile.
- For unreserved persons with disabilities candidates: Lowered to the 5th percentile.
- For Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes candidates: The percentile was reduced to zero.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between ensuring adequate fill rates for medical seats and preserving the rigorous standards necessary for producing highly skilled medical professionals. The Supreme Court's forthcoming examination will be crucial in balancing these competing interests within India's healthcare education framework.
