The repeated decline in NEET-PG cut-offs has sparked considerable debate and apprehension within the medical community. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses (NEET-PG) serves as the primary gateway for admissions to MD, MS, and PG Diploma programs across India. Recently, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), under the direction of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), significantly reduced the qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2025, leading to concerns about the quality of postgraduate medical training.

Factors Behind the Declining Cut-offs

Several factors contribute to this trend, with policy interventions and the availability of seats playing a significant role:

• Seat Vacancies: A primary reason for the cut-off reduction is the persistent vacancy of postgraduate medical seats. After the second round of counseling for NEET-PG 2025, over 18,000 seats remained vacant across various states and medical colleges. To prevent these seats from going unfilled, authorities have opted to lower the qualifying percentile. The goal is to ensure optimal utilization of available seats and expand the pool of trained medical specialists in the country.
• Policy Decisions: Policy revisions and interventions have been key drivers in shaping NEET-PG cut-off trends in recent years. For instance, in 2023, the cut-off was dropped to zero for all categories, a controversial move that aimed to fill vacant seats. Similarly, in 2021, the percentile requirement was lowered by the Health Ministry.
• Exam Difficulty and Candidate Performance: The difficulty level of the NEET-PG exam and the overall performance of candidates also influence the cut-offs. A tougher exam generally leads to lower cut-offs, while an easier exam might result in higher cut-offs.
• Number of Applicants: The number of candidates appearing for the NEET-PG exam also affects the cut-offs. An increase in the number of applicants intensifies competition, potentially raising the cut-offs.

Revised Cut-offs for NEET-PG 2025

The recent decision by NBEMS has led to significant revisions in the qualifying percentiles for NEET-PG 2025:

• For the General/EWS category, the qualifying percentile has been reduced from the 50th to the 7th percentile, with a revised cut-off score of 103 out of 800.
• For SC/ST/OBC candidates, the qualifying percentile has been reduced from the 40th percentile to zero, with a revised cut-off score of -40.
• For Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates, the qualifying percentile has been reduced from the 45th percentile to zero.

Concerns and Criticisms

The repeated lowering of NEET-PG cut-offs has faced criticism from various sections of the medical community. Concerns have been raised that allowing candidates with low or even negative scores to compete for seats could compromise the quality of medical education and patient care. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has expressed concerns that reducing the percentile to zero sets a dangerous precedent for the future of India's medical education system. The Federation of Doctors Association (FORDA) has highlighted that this move favors private medical colleges by filling seats with lower-scoring candidates at exorbitant fees, prioritizing institutional profits over student welfare.

Arguments in Favor of Cut-off Reduction

Despite the criticisms, some argue that lowering the cut-offs is necessary to prevent seat wastage and ensure that all available postgraduate medical seats are filled. They argue that this step does not dilute academic standards but enables already-qualified MBBS doctors to compete for available seats. It is also pointed out that admissions will continue to be made strictly based on NEET-PG merit and rank, with seat allotment carried out only through designated counseling authorities.

Impact and Future Trends

The frequent revisions in NEET-PG cut-offs reflect the dynamic nature of medical education policy and the ongoing efforts to address the shortage of medical professionals in India. While the reduction in cut-offs may help fill vacant seats, it is crucial to maintain academic standards and ensure the quality of medical education. Moving forward, a balanced approach is needed that addresses the concerns of the medical community while also ensuring that the country has an adequate supply of well-trained medical specialists. It is expected that qualifying marks for the general/EWS category will likely remain between 290 and 310, while SC/ST/OBC scores may range from 270 to 290, and UR-PwD scores may be near 250 to 270.