March 25, 2026
The Union government has told the Supreme Court of India that reducing the NEET PG 2025 cut-off did not dilute merit. According to the Centre, the move only expanded the pool of eligible candidates while final admissions continue to be strictly based on rank.
Officials argued that NEET PG is fundamentally a ranking examination. This means that even if more candidates qualify, only those with higher ranks secure seats. The government maintained that merit remains intact because the order of selection does not change.
What Changed in NEET PG 2025 Cut-Off
The cut-off percentiles saw a significant drop this year, as the general category cut-off was reduced from the 50th percentile to the 7th percentile. Moreover, it was lowered from the 40th percentile to zero for reserved categories. Furthermore, for PwD candidates in the general category, it was reduced to the 5th percentile.
This change made nearly 95,000 additional candidates eligible for counselling.
Why the Government Took This Step
It has been clarified by the Centre that the decision was taken after reviewing detailed exam data with expert bodies. A key reason was the large number of postgraduate medical seats that were going vacant, especially in certain colleges and specialties.
The government also clarified that candidates appearing for NEET PG have already completed their MBBS degree and internship. This, it argued, ensures a basic level of competence before they even enter the PG admission process.
Concerns Raised Over Quality
Reportedly, the decision has faced criticism from some petitioners, who argue that such a sharp drop in cut-offs could affect the quality of medical education. Concerns have also been raised about patient safety if candidates with very low scores become eligible.
The case is currently under consideration, with the court examining whether the policy strikes the right balance between filling seats and maintaining standards.
The Bigger Picture
At its core, the debate is about how merit is defined in medical education. The Centre insists that rank-based selection protects merit. Critics believe eligibility itself should reflect a minimum standard. As the legal scrutiny continues, the outcome could shape how competitive medical admissions are structured in the years ahead.
