Doctors' associations in Telangana have voiced strong opposition to a recent decision by the National Board of Examinations. The NBE sharply reduced the qualifying cut-off for NEET-PG 2025-26. This move makes candidates with even negative scores eligible to qualify.
Unprecedented Decision Sparks Concern
The Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association Telangana and the Telangana Senior Resident Doctors Association both term the decision unprecedented. They express deep concern about its potential impact. These groups warn that lowering standards could seriously erode postgraduate medical education quality. They also highlight potential risks to patient safety.
Purpose of NEET-PG Defeated
HRDA argues this move defeats the very purpose of NEET-PG. The exam serves as a national-level screening test. Its goal is to ensure only competent medical graduates enter postgraduate training. The NBE announced this steep reduction in qualifying percentiles on January 13. The board cited the need to fill vacant PG seats for the 2025-26 academic year.
As a direct result, candidates with zero or negative scores now qualify for counselling. HRDA describes this development as deeply alarming. The association states the diluted cut-off is not an isolated policy choice. Instead, it results from unchecked and irrational expansion of postgraduate seats.
Infrastructure and Faculty Shortages
This expansion particularly affects institutions lacking adequate infrastructure. Many colleges suffer from insufficient faculty strength. They also have low patient loads and limited clinical exposure. A large number of PG seats remain vacant in colleges with substandard facilities.
This situation exposes serious gaps in regulation under the National Medical Commission. Accreditation and monitoring processes also show weaknesses. Expanding undergraduate and postgraduate seats without parallel development creates problems. Teaching hospitals and faculty must grow alongside seat increases.
Dangerous Precedent and Commercialization
Lowering qualifying standards to accommodate excess seats sets a dangerous precedent. It risks accelerating the commercialization of healthcare. A HRDA member emphasized these points clearly. The association fears this approach prioritizes filling seats over maintaining quality.
Academic Integrity Undermined
The Telangana Senior Resident Doctors Association echoes these concerns. T-SRDA says the notification undermines academic integrity and public trust. It raises serious questions about future specialists' competence. Patient safety becomes a major concern when standards drop.
The association urges immediate action from multiple authorities. They call upon the Centre, the NBE, and the medical counselling committee to withdraw the notification. These groups must restore a fair and merit-based cut-off system. Strict regulation of medical seat expansion is also necessary.
Safeguarding postgraduate medical education integrity remains crucial. Protecting healthcare services quality is equally important. Doctors' associations in Hyderabad continue to advocate for these principles. They stress that medical education standards directly impact patient care across India.
