As of today, February 24, 2026, a major debate is happening across India regarding the NEET PG cut-off policy. Major groups like the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) are expressing strong opinions about the government's decision to lower the qualifying marks. Recently, the board reduced the eligibility criteria to a "zero percentile" for some categories. This means even candidates with very low scores can now participate in the counseling process. While the government says this helps fill thousands of empty seats, many medical associations worry that it might affect the quality of healthcare in the future.
The debate has become even more serious because the Supreme Court of India recently asked for a detailed explanation regarding this sharp reduction. Doctors across the country are talking about whether "merit" is being ignored just to make sure no medical seat goes to waste. Medical associations argue that postgraduate education is meant for advanced learning, and students should enter these courses based on strong exam performance to ensure they are well-prepared for complex surgeries and treatments.
1. Concerns Raised by Resident Doctor Bodies
Resident doctor associations are at the forefront of this discussion. They represent the young doctors who are currently working and studying in hospitals.
- Meritocracy at Risk: Groups like FAIMA have called the zero percentile rule a "mockery of merit," arguing that it devalues the hard work of high-scoring students.
- Patient Safety: There is a growing concern that admitting students with extremely low or even negative marks into clinical specialties could lead to risks in patient care.
- Private College Fees: Some associations believe the NEET PG cut-off was lowered mainly to help private colleges fill expensive seats that were staying vacant.
- Call for Action: FORDA has written letters to the Health Ministry asking for a more balanced policy that protects the dignity of the medical profession.
2. The Government's Stand on Seat Vacancies
On the other side of the debate, the authorities have a different perspective. They believe that leaving a medical seat empty is a loss for the entire country.
- MBBS Competence: The National Medical Commission (NMC) argues that every candidate is already a qualified doctor with an MBBS degree and has passed many difficult exams.
- Resource Utilization: Every PG seat represents a huge investment in hospital infrastructure and teachers. The government wants to ensure these resources are fully used to train more specialists.
- Specialist Shortage: India needs more specialist doctors. By lowering the NEET PG cut-off, the government aims to increase the pool of eligible candidates for branches like Anatomy and Biochemistry.
- Official Data: According to the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), over 18,000 seats remained unfilled after the initial rounds of counseling, which led to this policy change.
3. Proposed Solutions and Future Outlook
Instead of just lowering the marks to zero, medical associations are suggesting better ways to handle the vacancy problem without compromising on quality.
- Fee Regulation: Experts suggest that if private colleges reduce their high fees, more meritorious students would naturally join them.
- Twice-a-Year Exams: Some groups propose holding the exam twice a year to fill seats faster, similar to how the AIIMS Exams are managed.
- Better Infrastructure: Improving the teaching facilities in remote colleges would make them more attractive to top-ranking students.
- Court Intervention: Everyone is now waiting for the next hearing to see if the legal system will set a minimum "floor" for the NEET PG cut-off in the coming years.
Conclusion
The discussion around the NEET PG cut-off is not just about a single exam; it is about the future of medical education in India. While the goal of filling every seat is important, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) insists that quality should never be sacrificed. As the counseling for the current year ends, the medical community hopes for a permanent solution that respects both the need for more doctors and the need for high clinical standards. All eyes are now on the official updates from the NBEMS Notice Board to see if any changes will be made for the next academic session.
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