A major debate is shaking the world of medical education in India today. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) and the Union Health Ministry are facing tough questions from doctors and students. The reason for this heat is a recent decision to drastically lower the qualifying marks for the NEET PG exam. Today, on February 23, the Supreme Court is expected to hear petitions filed by doctors who believe this move is unfair and harmful to the healthcare system.
The controversy started when the board reduced the qualifying percentile for the third round of counseling. For general category students, the cut-off was dropped from the 50th percentile to just the 7th percentile. Even more shocking for the medical community was the decision for reserved categories, where the cut-off was brought down to zero. This means that a doctor who scored a negative mark, like -40 out of 800, could technically become eligible to apply for a specialist seat in a hospital.
Why the Government Lowered the Marks
The government and the National Medical Commission (NMC) have a clear reason for this change. They noticed that after two rounds of admission, more than 18,000 postgraduate seats were still empty. These seats are in important areas like surgery, medicine, and anesthesia. If these seats stay vacant, it is a waste of a huge amount of money and resources. The government says that since all these candidates are already qualified MBBS doctors, they have the basic knowledge to treat patients.
- Filling Vacancies: The primary goal is to make sure every hospital has enough junior residents and specialists to handle the patient load.
- Expanding Eligibility: By lowering the marks, nearly 96,000 more candidates became eligible to join the counseling process.
- Wastage of Resources: Leaving thousands of specialist seats empty is seen as a failure of the health infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
However, many expert doctors disagree. They argue that postgraduate studies are for becoming a "specialist," and standards should be very high. They feel that if the government only wants to fill seats, it becomes more like a "lottery" than a test of merit.
The Reaction of Medical Associations
Different groups of doctors have very different opinions on this matter. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has shown some support for the move. They believe it gives a chance to many doctors to get a degree and help the country's health system. On the other hand, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) and FAIMA are strongly against it.
- Merit Concerns: FORDA says that lowering marks to zero destroys the value of hard work. They believe it favors private medical colleges that charge very high fees.
- Patient Safety: FAIMA has written to the Health Minister, saying that allowing low-scoring candidates into specialty training could be dangerous for patients.
- Legal Battle: Since the medical community is so divided, the matter has reached the Supreme Court. The court has asked the board to justify why such a big change was made after the exam results were already out.
| Feature | Original Rule | Revised Rule (Jan 2026) |
| General Category Cut-off | 50th Percentile | 7th Percentile |
| Reserved Category Cut-off | 40th Percentile | 0th Percentile |
| Eligible Candidates | ~3 Lakh | ~4 Lakh |
| Main Goal | Quality Specialist Selection | Filling 18,000 Vacant Seats |
Conclusion: What This Means for Future Doctors
In conclusion, the debate over the NEET PG cut-off is a battle between "filling seats" and "maintaining quality." While the government wants more specialists on the ground, the medical associations want to protect the prestige of the profession. As the Supreme Court listens to both sides today, February 23, students are watching closely. This decision will not only affect the current batch but will set a rule for how doctors are selected for years to come.
- Counseling Impact: For now, the third round of counseling is going on with the new low marks.
- Wait for Verdict: The final word from the judges will decide if the marks will be raised again or if the zero percentile rule will stay.
- Stay Updated: Aspirants should keep checking the official MCC website for any new orders regarding their seat allotment.
Whether you are a student or a patient, this news matters to everyone. We all want the best-trained doctors to treat us in the future. At the same time, we need enough doctors so that no patient has to wait for hours in a hospital. Balancing these two needs is the biggest challenge for India’s medical system today.