The NEET-PG 2025 third-round counselling has stirred nationwide debate after MD and MS seats were allotted to candidates with negative or single-digit scores. The unusual allotments followed a drastic reduction in cut-off percentiles, aimed at filling thousands of vacant seats in medical colleges across India.
Drastic Cut-Off Reduction
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) lowered the qualifying percentiles for NEET-PG 2025, allowing candidates with extremely low scores to compete for postgraduate seats. Reserved category candidates were allowed with zero or negative scores, while the general category saw a significant reduction from earlier standards. This measure was taken to prevent wastage of vacant MD/MS seats after two rounds of counselling left thousands unfilled.
Expert Concerns
Speaking to media, an expert quoted as saying – “Filling seats is important, but allowing candidates with minimal scores into specialist training risks diluting the quality of postgraduate education and can have long-term consequences for healthcare delivery.”
Many experts argue that the decision reflects a systemic challenge: balancing the need to fill seats against maintaining rigorous academic standards. The move has also sparked legal scrutiny, with a PIL filed in the Supreme Court questioning the legality and safety of lowering eligibility criteria mid-process.
Students and Seat Allocation
The policy change affected several critical specialties. Reports indicate that seats in orthopaedics, general surgery, obstetrics & gynaecology, and other core areas were allocated to candidates with very low NEET-PG scores. While this ensured full utilization of available seats, it also raised questions about whether candidates with insufficient demonstrated competency should undergo intensive specialist training.
Implications for Healthcare
Critics warn that admitting low-scoring candidates could affect clinical care quality, patient outcomes, and public trust in the medical system. On the other hand, authorities argue that leaving seats vacant also has consequences, as it exacerbates the shortage of trained specialists, particularly in government hospitals serving underserved populations.
Experts suggest that long-term solutions should focus on:
- Strengthening medical education infrastructure
- Increasing faculty availability and mentoring in postgraduate programs
- Enhancing exam frameworks to maintain high standards
- Ensuring fair and transparent seat allocation without compromising competence
The NEET-PG 2025 controversy underscores the delicate balance between accessibility and quality in medical education. Decisions made now will influence the competence of future specialists and the overall trust in India’s healthcare system.
