The Supreme Court of India is reviewing whether the sharp reduction in qualifying percentile for NEET-PG 2025-26 admissions affects the quality of postgraduate medical education. The Centre defended the decision, saying that the MBBS qualification itself ensures competence and the cut-off is just for seat allocation — not competence testing.
The Supreme Court of India has taken up multiple petitions challenging the drastic reduction in the minimum qualifying percentile for NEET-PG 2025 counselling. The cut-off was lowered significantly — in some categories down to near-zero — from the originally prescribed levels (e.g., general category’s 50th percentile).
Why the Court Is Hearing It
- The bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe has raised concerns about the potential impact on quality of medical education and training.
- The court questioned whether such a sharp reduction — described by some as “virtually bringing it to zero” — could dilute standards in postgraduate medical education.
Key Concerns Being Examined
Quality of Postgraduate Medical Education
The Supreme Court has made it clear that simply saying an MBBS degree proves competence is not enough — the government must show that such a low percentile won’t dilute standards or impact specialist training quality.
Impact on Vacant Seats vs. Standards
The Centre insists the cut-off change was to address seat wastage (over 9,600 vacant seats after Round 2), but critics worry this could lower the merit bar for specialist courses.
Next Steps
The Supreme Court has adjourned further hearings to examine these legal and educational concerns and will continue reviewing arguments in the coming weeks.
Why This Matters
This case isn’t just about one exam — it has broader implications for medical education policy in India:
- It tests how far policy decisions on eligibility criteria can go before they are seen as undermining academic standards.
- It raises questions about judicial oversight vs. administrative discretion in expert bodies like the NMC and NBEMS.
- The outcome may influence future NEET-PG admissions processes and reforms.
