The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has reduced the NEET-PG 2025 qualifying percentile to zero for reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC) for the third round of counseling, following directions from the Union Health Ministry. This allows candidates who scored as low as minus 40 to participate. The general category percentile was lowered to the 7th and disabled to the 5th. This decision has drawn criticism from some medical professionals concerned about declining academic standards, while NBEMS stated eligibility is provisional and subject to verification.