By: The Trek News Desk
In a major move aimed at preventing large-scale seat wastage, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has significantly lowered the qualifying cut-offs for NEET PG 2025 admissions. The decision comes after two rounds of counselling, which concluded with a substantial number of postgraduate medical seats remaining unfilled across the country.
As per an official notice issued by NBEMS on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the qualifying percentile for reserved categories has been reduced from 40 percentile to zero. For candidates in the general category, the cut-off has been lowered sharply from 50 percentile to just 7 percentiles.
According to official sources, more than 18,000 postgraduate medical seats are still vacant nationwide. The revised cut-offs are intended to ensure maximum utilisation of these seats, which play a crucial role in increasing the number of trained medical specialists and strengthening India’s healthcare system.
Officials noted that leaving such a large number of seats vacant not only results in the loss of valuable educational resources but also undermines efforts to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
NBEMS clarified that NEET PG functions as a ranking examination designed to facilitate transparent and merit-based seat allocation through a centralised counselling process. Earlier, higher percentile requirements had restricted the eligibility pool, despite the availability of seats.
Authorities emphasised that despite the reduction in qualifying percentiles, the admission process will remain strictly merit-driven. Seat allotment will continue to be based on NEET PG ranks and candidate preferences, and will be carried out only through authorised counselling channels. Direct or discretionary admissions will not be allowed.
The board also assured that academic standards have not been compromised. The revised cut-offs simply expand eligibility among already-qualified MBBS doctors, while maintaining transparency and fairness in the selection process.
It is noteworthy that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had formally urged NBEMS on January 12 to revise the cut-off, highlighting the need to avoid seat wastage and bolster the country’s healthcare services.
Source: News Agencies
