NEET-PG Cut-Off Slash Sparks Row As Seats Go To Single-digit Scores
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The sharp cut in NEET-PG qualifying marks has set off alarm among doctors. In the latest round of counselling, several postgraduate seats in government colleges were filled by candidates who scored very low, some in single digits.
In one case, an MS orthopaedics seat in a government college in Rohtak went to a candidate who scored just 4 out of 800. In a well-known Delhi college, a seat in obstetrics and gynaecology was allotted at 44 marks. General surgery closed at 47.
The trend was not limited to clinical branches. In non-clinical subjects, seats were filled at 10 marks in transfusion medicine, 11 in anatomy and even minus 8 in biochemistry. Many of these admissions were under reserved and PwD categories.
This marks a clear shift from the Centre’s earlier stand. In 2022, the government had told the Delhi High Court that minimum cut-offs were needed to protect the quality of medical education. The court had agreed, saying weak standards could harm society since doctors deal with life and death.
Now, officials say admissions are being done as per revised rules. A senior health ministry official said training, supervision and exit exams are meant to ensure competence. Entry marks alone, the official said, do not decide whether someone becomes a good doctor. Colleges are expected to assess and fail candidates who do not meet standards.
Many medical teachers are not convinced. They say the problem is bigger than just cut-offs. Over the past few years, PG seats have increased fast. But faculty strength has not kept pace. Departments are crowded. Exit exams are not strict. Once a student gets in, very few are stopped later.
Some doctors warn that the real impact may be seen years down the line. Poorly trained specialists may begin independent practice. That, they say, could hurt patient safety and weaken trust in the system.
The issue has now reached the Supreme Court. On Friday, the court asked the Centre to respond to a plea challenging the steep cut in qualifying percentiles for NEET-PG 2025-26.
The petition points to a major drop. For reserved categories, the cut-off was reduced from the 40th percentile to zero. Qualifying marks fell to minus 40 from 235 out of 800. For general and EWS candidates, the cut-off moved from the 50th percentile to the 7th. For general PwBD candidates, it dropped from the 45th to the 5th percentile.
The petitioners argue that the decision weakens merit and puts patient safety at risk. The court has said the matter concerns the quality of medical education and exams. The Centre’s reply is now awaited.
(Inputs from leading Newspapers)
