A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Allahabad High Court, formally challenging the substantial reduction of the NEET-PG cut-off marks for the 2025 academic session. Specifically, the plea addresses the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences’ (NBEMS) controversial decision to make candidates, particularly those from the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), eligible for counseling even with scores as low as minus 40 out of 800. Advocate Abhinav Gaur, the petitioner, argues this move is unconstitutional and severely compromises the integrity of a merit-based selection process.
The Drastic Revision of the NEET-PG Cut-off Marks
The NBEMS initiated the drastic cut-off reduction after over 18,000 postgraduate medical seats remained vacant following the second round of counseling. Consequently, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directed the board to lower the qualifying criteria to ensure optimal seat utilization. The revision was unprecedented. For General and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) aspirants, the cut-off dropped from 276 to 103 marks. Similarly, General-PwBD candidates saw a reduction from 255 to 90 marks. Therefore, the most concerning change was for the SC, ST, and OBC categories. Here, the qualifying score plummeted from 235 marks to minus 40 marks, essentially setting the qualifying percentile to zero. Critics contend this administrative expediency prioritizes seat occupancy over academic standards. Ensuring high standards in specialist training is vital, which prospective candidates should focus on through comprehensive programs like the Foundation Comprehensive Training For New Doctor.
Constitutional and Patient Safety Concerns
The PIL explicitly challenges the NBEMS decision on constitutional grounds. The petitioner states the move violates Article 16 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal opportunity in public employment. Moreover, the plea asserts that allowing candidates who score negative marks to qualify undermines the fundamental sanctity of the examination. Such low-threshold eligibility directly impacts public health and patient safety, which are matters of paramount public concern. Consequently, the plea argues that admitting doctors without a minimum knowledge threshold affects the constitutional right to health and life guaranteed under Article 21. Although authorities clarify the revised score only determines eligibility, not final rank-based seat allocation, medical bodies like the United Doctors Front have also approached the Supreme Court with similar concerns. For medical professionals concerned about maintaining high standards in patient care, advancing their specialization is crucial, perhaps through a Certification Course In General Practice or focusing on areas needing greater expertise, such as Certification Course In Intensive Care Medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What prompted the NBEMS to reduce the NEET-PG cut-off?
The NBEMS reduced the cut-off percentile on the direction of the Union Health Ministry to fill over 18,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats following the first two rounds of counseling for the 2025-26 academic session.
Q2: What is the main argument against the reduction of the NEET-PG cut-off?
Opponents, including the petitioner in the Allahabad High Court, argue the reduction, especially to negative scores for reserved categories, compromises the merit-based selection process, dilutes academic standards in specialist training, and poses a direct risk to patient safety and public health.
Q3: Did the cut-off change affect all categories equally?
No, the cut-off change was proportionally different. The SC/ST/OBC categories saw the most dramatic drop, from 235 marks to minus 40 (0th percentile), while the General/EWS cut-off was lowered from 276 to 103 marks (7th percentile).
References
- Plea in Allahabad HC challenges decision to reduce NEET-PG cut-off marks – ETHealthworld
- PIL in Allahabad HC against lowering NEET-PG cut-off score to 103 for general candidates, minus 40 for SC/ST – Bar and Bench
- NEET PG cut off controversy explained: Here is what has happened so far – Times of India
- NEET PG cut-off row reaches Supreme Court as doctors challenge lowered scores – the federal
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