Govt to SC: Lower NEET PG Bar Does Not Mean Low-Quality Doctors
A low NEET score does not mean a doctor is unskilled.
Every candidate appearing for the NEET PG examination is already a licensed MBBS doctor, having finished a 4.5-year MBBS program alongside a compulsory 1.5-year internship. To successfully pass the MBBS degree, students are required to achieve a minimum of 50% marks independently in both theory and practical evaluations.
The administration additionally addressed worries regarding patient safety, clarifying that postgraduate medical trainees receive education and training under the supervision of experienced physicians and specialists. Furthermore, they are evaluated through examinations upon concluding their three-year training program, where a minimum score of 50% in both theory and practical components remains mandatory for graduation.
Why was the NEET PG cut-off reduced?
Due to a high volume of unfilled postgraduate positions, the authorities lowered the threshold to broaden the applicant base. This decision enabled an additional one lakh candidates to participate in the third round of counseling, helping to ensure that the 70,000 seats accessible for the 2025-26 academic cycle are completely filled by the 2.24 lakh test-takers.
It is worth highlighting that adjusting the cut-off downwards is not an unprecedented measure, as the requirement was dropped to zero in 2023 to prevent any seat from going unused. The administration further clarified that since medical training positions are supported by taxpayer funds, failing to fill them would represent a squandering of public assets and lead to a reduction in available medical care.
