In 2023, a score of -40 was indeed sufficient for qualification in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses (NEET PG). This occurred when the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) reduced the qualifying percentile to zero across all categories.
The NEET PG exam, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), serves as the gateway to various MD/MS/DNB/Diploma courses. In 2023, the exam took place on March 5th, with results declared on March 14th. Traditionally, the minimum qualifying criteria for the General/EWS category is the 50th percentile. However, after the second counseling round in 2023, a significant number of PG seats remained vacant.
In response to this, the MCC made a pivotal decision to drop the qualifying percentile to zero across all categories. This meant that even candidates with zero percentile, equating to zero or even negative scores, became eligible for PG programs. The lowest recorded score in NEET PG 2023 was minus 40, making even this candidate eligible for admission.
This move aimed to ensure that a maximum number of seats were filled in both clinical and non-clinical branches. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to implement this reduction. While the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and FORDA welcomed the decision, other organizations like the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) condemned it.
Critics argued that allowing candidates with such low scores undermines the merit-based selection process and compromises the standards of medical education. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on patient safety and the credibility of the healthcare system. It was also pointed out that this decision could disproportionately favor those with financial means, enabling them to secure seats in private colleges regardless of their exam performance.
Despite the criticism, authorities defended the decision as an administrative measure to address the issue of vacant seats. The NBEMS clarified that admissions would still be strictly merit-based, determined by NEET-PG rank and candidate preferences, with no direct or discretionary admissions permitted.
The NEET PG 2023 cut-off scores for various categories before the reduction were: General/EWS: 291 (50th percentile), General-PwD: 274 (45th percentile), and SC/ST/OBC: 257 (40th percentile). The reduction to zero percentile effectively eliminated these thresholds, allowing all candidates who appeared for the exam to participate in the counseling process. Fresh registrations and choice filling for Round-3 of PG Counselling were reopened to accommodate the newly eligible candidates.
