The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the reduced NEET PG 2025 cutoff percentile on April 28, 2026 . The court will review if this reduction impacts the quality of postgraduate medical education.
Cutoff Reduction Under Scrutiny
Petitions were filed after the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) lowered the NEET PG cutoff for the third counseling round. Petitioners argue that enough qualified students existed to fill seats without a reduction.
Lawyers for the petitioners stated that vacant seats remain unfilled because eligible candidates cannot afford high fees. Supporters of the reduction argue that all candidates have passed MBBS, ensuring continued quality.
The court previously directed NBEMS to explain the rationale behind the reduction. Judges noted the need to balance concerns about lowered standards against the issue of vacant seats.
Arguments Presented
Petitioners claim the cutoff reduction, especially to zero or negative marks, is arbitrary. They cite violations of constitutional rights and potential risks to patient safety and public health. This, they argue, dilutes postgraduate medical standards.
In response, NBEMS stated its role is limited to conducting exams and providing results. They clarified that NEET PG identifies merit for seat allocation, not to certify minimum competence.
NBEMS also explained that postgraduate education involves a three-year supervised program. Final competence is assessed at the exit exam, requiring at least 50% in theory and practical components.
Cutoff Percentiles
The following table shows the original and reduced cutoff percentiles for NEET PG 2025:
| Category | Original Cutoff Percentile | Reduced Cutoff Percentile |
| General/EWS | 50th percentile (276 marks) | 7th percentile (103 marks) |
| General PwBD | 45th percentile (255 marks) | 5th percentile (90 marks) |
| SC/ST/OBC (incl. PwBD) | 40th percentile (235 marks) | 0th percentile (-40 marks) |
The court deferred a detailed hearing to April 28, 2026 .
