NEET-PG 2025 Cut-Off Slashed To Zero Percentile For Reserved Categories

Updated: January 14, 2026 08:54

Image Source : India TV News

In a major policy shift, the government has reduced the NEET-PG 2025 cut-off to 0 percentile for reserved categories during the third round of counselling. The move aims to fill over 18,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats across India and expand eligibility for SC, ST, and OBC candidates.

In a landmark decision to address the growing concern of unfilled postgraduate medical seats, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved a significant revision in the NEET-PG 2025 counselling criteria. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has officially lowered the qualifying cut-off to 0 percentile for candidates from reserved categories, including SC, ST, and OBC, for the third round of counselling.

Key highlights from the announcement reveal that the decision was prompted by the large number of vacant seats of over 18,000le ft unfilled after the second round of counselling. The revised cut-off is applicable only for the 2025–26 academic session and aims to maximize seat utilization in both government and private medical colleges.

The NEET-PG 2025 results were declared on August 19, 2025. However, in a letter dated January 9, 2026, the Health Ministry directed NBEMS to revise the minimum qualifying percentiles. While the percentile threshold has been brought down to zero, the actual ranks of candidates remain unchanged. This means that candidates who had previously scored below the earlier cut-off can now participate in the third round of counselling, provided they meet other eligibility criteria.

Another important aspect is that eligibility under the revised cut-off remains provisional. It will be verified through MBBS or FMGE aggregate marks, biometric checks, and Face ID verification at the time of admission. This ensures that while the percentile barrier is removed, academic and identity standards are still maintained.

The move has sparked mixed reactions. While many hail it as a progressive step to ensure inclusivity and optimal resource utilization, others have raised concerns about the potential impact on the quality of postgraduate medical training.

The government, however, maintains that the decision is a pragmatic response to the persistent shortage of specialist doctors and the underutilization of available training infrastructure.

Sources: India Today, NDTV, ABP Live, Mathrubhumi, DNA India

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