NEET-PG 2025 Cut-Off Percentiles Lowered to Fill Vacant Medical Seats Amid Debate

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), following the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's directive, has lowered the NEET-PG 2025 qualifying percentiles to fill over 18,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats. The cut-off for reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC) has been reduced to zero percentile, allowing candidates with scores as low as minus 40 to participate in counselling. For general and EWS candidates, the percentile was lowered to the 7th percentile, and for persons with benchmark disabilities, to the 5th percentile. Authorities emphasize that ranks remain unchanged and admissions will continue to be merit-based through authorized counselling. The decision aims to optimize seat utilization and address specialist shortages but has drawn criticism from medical groups concerned about potential impacts on academic standards and healthcare quality.