Steep Decline in Maharashtra Medical Admission Cut-Off Scores Sparks Debate
The conclusion of MBBS and BDS admissions in Maharashtra has revealed a dramatic decrease in the final cut-off scores compared to the previous year. Data released by the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell shows a significant drop, a shift largely attributed to the absence of last year's mark inflation.
In the open category, the cut-off score for MBBS in government medical colleges has fallen to 504 marks this year, a stark contrast to the scores above 600 marks recorded last year. An even more pronounced decline was observed in private medical colleges for the same category.
Concerns Over Alarmingly Low Private College Cut-Offs
While a drop was anticipated, the extent of the decline in private institutions has raised eyebrows among experts and parents. A major point of concern is the cut-off score for private medical colleges dipping below 120 marks.
Admission counsellor Sachin Bangan explained that while the mark inflation from last year's easier NEET paper aptly explains the drop in government college cut-offs, the situation in private colleges is more troubling. He stated, "These are final cut-off scores which means those including admissions done at the institutional level rounds at private medical colleges which are infamous for malpractices. If a candidate scoring as low as 118 is able to secure a seat in MBBS at a private medical college in the open category; it is definitely a concern."
NEET Score Normalization: The Root Cause
The primary reason for the overall drop in cut-offs is the normalization of scores in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Last year, an easier exam paper and alleged lenient evaluation led to a historic inflation of marks, with 17 candidates scoring a perfect 720 out of 720.
This year, however, the top score was 686 marks. A parent representative noted, "Considering this significant drop in scores of candidates, the cut-off scores were expected to be lower this year, which has been witnessed since the first round of MBBS/BDS admissions." The vast gap between the cut-off scores of government and private medical colleges has now become a focal point for discussion regarding admission standards and practices.
Good News for Ayush Aspirants
In a positive development for students seeking admission in alternative medicine courses, the Maharashtra CET Cell has announced an additional Centralised Admission Process (CAP) round for Ayush courses. This includes Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS), and Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS). This extra round is intended to provide an opportunity for betterment in seat allotment for all candidates from the previous admission round.
