Supreme Court to Hear Challenges to NEET-PG Cut-Off Reduction on April 28
India's Supreme Court will examine pleas contesting the sharp drop in qualifying cut-off percentiles for the NEET-PG 2025-26 exam on April 28. The decision affects eligibility for over 70,000 postgraduate medical seats amid concerns over patient safety and merit standards. Petitioners argue the move undermines medical education integrity after results and two counselling rounds.
Petitioners Contest Post-Exam Cut-Off Changes
A public interest litigation filed by advocate Satyam Singh Rajput labels the reduction to zero or negative percentiles as arbitrary and unconstitutional, violating equality and life rights under Articles 14 and 21. The plea warns that admitting candidates with such scores risks public health by eroding postgraduate training quality. During a brief hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan stressed that enough candidates already qualified to fill seats, with vacancies stemming from high fees rather than shortages.
Government Defends Move Amid Seat Vacancies
The Union Health Ministry justifies the adjustment after expert reviews to address nearly 20,000 unfilled seats nationwide, including 9,621 in the All India Quota post-second counselling round. An affidavit from the Directorate General of Health Services notes the change made 95,913 more candidates eligible without shifting merit order, echoing past actions like the 2023 drop to zero across categories. The Centre urges judicial restraint in academic policy unless proven irrational, citing the National Medical Commission Act framework.
Opposing Views and Procedural Stance
Senior advocate D.S. Naidu, for a supporting candidate, maintains the reduction preserves standards since all must hold MBBS degrees. The National Board of Examinations clarified it only conducts exams and follows directives from health authorities. Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe deferred merits, having earlier issued notices to key bodies like the National Medical Commission and Medical Counselling Committee. This dispute highlights tensions between seat utilisation and admission rigour in India's strained postgraduate medical system.
