NEET-PG Cut-Off Plummets to Zero Percentile Amid Massive Vacancies
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences has taken a drastic step. It slashed the NEET-PG qualifying percentile for many categories. This move comes after nearly 18,000 post-graduate medical seats remained vacant following two rounds of counselling.
Sharp Reduction in Qualifying Scores
The NBEMS revised the cut-offs significantly. For general category students, the percentile now stands at just 7. Persons with disability from the general and EWS categories face a 5 percentile requirement. Most strikingly, all SC, ST, and OBC candidates, including those with disabilities, now have a zero percentile cut-off.
This reduction means something remarkable. Candidates scoring as low as negative 40 marks could become eligible for a PG medical seat. The usual standards are much higher. Typically, general and EWS candidates need a 50 percentile. Persons with disability from the general category require 45 percentile. SC, ST, and OBC candidates usually need 40 percentile.
History Repeats Itself
This is not the first time such a drastic measure has been implemented. In 2023, authorities dropped the cut-off to zero percentile for all categories. That year, doctors with scores as low as 5 marks out of 800 secured PG seats. They still followed the NEET-PG merit list for allocation.
Last year saw a similar situation. With 15,902 seats vacant before the third counselling round, cut-offs were reduced to 15 percentile for general and EWS candidates. All other categories faced a 10 percentile requirement. The year before that, the first zero percentile cut-off was introduced. At that time, 13,245 seats remained unfilled before the third round.
Official Stance and Criticism
Sources from NBEMS maintain a firm position. They state that admissions remain strictly merit-based. These are determined solely by NEET-PG rank and candidate preferences. No direct or discretionary admissions are permitted under this system.
However, medical associations express strong concerns. Dr Rohan Krishnan, chief patron and co-founder of FAIMA, voices sharp criticism. He links the decision to the increase in PG medical seats, particularly in private colleges charging exorbitant fees.
"Anyone who wants to become a good doctor will not take admission in colleges that do not teach properly," he argues. "This is being done for the mushrooming of this business of medical education."
FAIMA has written to the Union Health Minister. The letter states that allowing candidates with negative marks to qualify cannot be justified under any academic or ethical standards. It warns that such drastic reductions could make NEET-PG redundant.
Contrasting Views and Historical Context
The Indian Medical Association presents a different perspective. On January 12, it urged the Health Ministry to lower the qualifying percentile. This move aimed specifically to prevent PG medical seats from going vacant.
Historical data reveals a persistent vacancy problem. In 2021-22, 3,744 seats remained vacant after three main counselling rounds and a mop-up round. The following year saw 4,400 vacant seats, according to a Parliament reply in 2023.
Meanwhile, PG medical seat numbers have surged dramatically. Over the last decade, India witnessed a 138.3% increase. Seats jumped from 31,185 before 2014 to 74,306 currently. Several norms for faculty and infrastructure were relaxed to facilitate this expansion.
The current situation highlights ongoing challenges in medical education. Balancing seat availability with quality standards remains a complex issue for authorities and the medical community.
