New Delhi: In a move sparking heated debates among medical aspirants and experts, the Indian government has slashed the NEET-PG 2026 cut-off marks, insisting that this will not compromise the nation’s medical standards.
The decision aims to fill thousands of vacant postgraduate seats and bolster the cadre of specialist doctors amid growing concerns over healthcare shortages.
The revised cut-offs are notably low: 103 marks for General and EWS categories, 90 for General PwD, and a staggering -40 for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. With over 200,000 students vying for around 70,000 MD/MS seats annually, many positions have historically gone unfilled, wasting precious public resources.
Officials argue that NEET-PG serves merely as an entrance exam to rank candidates for these limited spots, not as a benchmark for a doctor’s core competence.
“NEET-PG’s purpose is not to determine a student’s minimum qualification as a doctor,” the government stated in its Supreme Court submission. The government emphasised that each participant has demonstrated their abilities by successfully completing a demanding 4.5-year MBBS programme, which includes a one-year internship, and achieving at least 50% in both theory and practical exams. “A doctor’s real eligibility is established upon finishing MBBS and internship,” the affidavit added.
Critics, however, fear that admitting candidates with lower scores could dilute the quality of future specialists. Students and health professionals have voiced apprehensions on social media, questioning whether this prioritises quantity over expertise. Yet, the Centre counters that the exam’s role is purely merit-based for seat allocation, with no bearing on professional standards.
This controversy underscores the delicate balance between expanding medical education and upholding excellence. As the counselling rounds commence, the focus is on whether this strategy can effectively address India’s doctor shortage without undermining system trust.