NEET PG 2025 Cutoff Reduced; Officials Defend Decision, Check Details
2 minute read
• Updated on 19 Jan, 2026, 4:08 PM, by Ishita Tanwar
NBE has reduced the NEET PG 2025 qualifying cutoff for all categories, including zero percentile for reserved categories. Top officials have defended the move as a national-level decision aimed at filling vacant PG medical seats, while a PIL challenges it in court.
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences has revised the NEET PG 2025 cutoff, significantly lowering the qualifying percentile across all categories. The decision, announced through an official notification dated 13 January 2026, has triggered widespread debate within the medical education community. According to authorities, the cutoff reduction has been implemented to ensure optimal utilisation of postgraduate medical seats across the country.
NEET PG 2025 Revised Cutoff Details
Under the revised qualifying criteria, the cutoff percentile and corresponding scores have been reduced for all candidate categories. As per the updated cutoff:
- Unreserved (UR): 7th percentile – 103 marks
- SC/ST/OBC: 0 percentile – –40 marks
- UR PwD: 5th percentile – 90 marks
The NEET PG examination is conducted for a total of 800 marks, with negative marking applied for incorrect responses.
Officials Clarify Reason Behind Cutoff Reduction
Senior officials have described the cutoff reduction as a decision taken from a “national perspective”, emphasising the need to address the issue of vacant PG medical seats. They stated that the move does not alter the merit ranking or results of any candidate. Officials further clarified that:
- NEET PG remains a merit-based competitive examination
- Negative scores arise due to the negative marking scheme, not due to changes in evaluation
- The revised cutoff aims only to expand eligibility, not modify rankings
Legal Challenge Filed in Supreme Court
The revised cutoff has also led to legal scrutiny. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court of India on 16 January 2026. The petition argues that reducing the cutoff to zero percentile undermines the principle of merit-based admissions and could impact the quality of postgraduate medical education.
Impact on PG Medical Admissions
With the revised cutoff now in effect, a larger pool of candidates has become eligible for participation in PG medical counselling. Authorities maintain that the final allocation of seats will continue to follow existing counselling rules and reservation norms. Further clarity on counselling schedules and seat allotment is expected through official notices. Candidates are advised to monitor updates closely as the legal proceedings and admission process continue.
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