As NEET PG 2025 counselling resumes following a sharp reduction in qualifying cut-offs, candidates are seeking clarity on how seat allocation works under the revised system. The key distinction lies in the use of percentile-based eligibility, which determines access to counselling rounds rather than percentage marks scored in the examination. The revised policy aims to expand the pool of eligible candidates and address the issue of unfilled postgraduate medical seats.
Difference Between Percentage and Percentile in NEET PG
A percentage reflects the proportion of marks secured out of the total score. In NEET PG, which is conducted for 800 marks, percentage is calculated by dividing the marks obtained by the total marks and multiplying by 100. This measure only reflects an individual’s score and does not consider how others performed. A percentile, on the other hand, represents relative performance. It indicates the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below a particular candidate. For example, a 90th percentile means the candidate performed better than 90% of test-takers, regardless of the actual marks scored. In NEET PG, eligibility for counselling is determined strictly by percentile, not by percentage or minimum marks.
How NEET PG Percentile Is Calculated?
After the examination, all candidate scores are arranged from lowest to highest. A candidate’s percentile is calculated using the proportion of candidates they have outperformed relative to the total number of examinees. This system ensures that counselling eligibility is based on comparative performance rather than absolute marks, which can vary depending on exam difficulty.
NEET PG Counselling Eligibility Criteria
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences sets minimum qualifying percentiles each year to decide counselling eligibility. Previously, candidates were required to meet the following thresholds:
- 50th percentile for General and EWS categories
- 45th percentile for General PwBD candidates
- 40th percentile for SC, ST, and OBC candidates
Only candidates meeting these benchmarks were allowed to participate in counselling rounds.
Revised NEET PG 2025 Qualifying Percentiles
To address large-scale seat vacancies after earlier counselling rounds, authorities have significantly lowered the qualifying percentiles for NEET PG 2025:
- General and EWS: Reduced from the 50th to the 7th percentile
- General PwBD: Reduced from the 45th to the 5th percentile
- SC, ST, and OBC: Reduced from the 40th to the 0th percentile
Under this revision, even candidates with very low or negative scores may become eligible for later counselling rounds, provided they meet the minimum percentile requirement.
Impact on Seat Allocation and Medical Education
Officials state that lowering cut-offs is intended to fill over 18,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats nationwide while retaining a merit-based ranking system. Since percentile determines eligibility, candidates qualifying at the lower end may still participate in counselling if they meet the revised threshold. However, the move has triggered debate within the medical community, with concerns raised about academic standards and long-term implications for specialist training. Despite this, authorities maintain that percentile-based counselling continues to preserve relative merit while improving seat utilisation.