NEET PG 2025: 95,913 Additional Candidates Eligible After Percentile Reduction
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has formally informed the Supreme Court of India that a significant 95,913 additional candidates have now become eligible for NEET PG 2025 counselling following the controversial decision to lower the qualifying percentile. This submission was made through a detailed affidavit filed before the apex court, as confirmed by multiple news agency reports.
Legal Battle Over Revised Eligibility Norms
The matter is currently being heard by the Supreme Court amid multiple petitions challenging the legality of the revised cut-off criteria. NBEMS explicitly stated in its affidavit that any judicial interference with the newly established eligibility norms at this advanced stage would directly impact thousands of candidates who have newly become eligible to participate in the crucial counselling process.
"It is ex-facie apparent that pursuant to the lowering of cut off, 95,913 additional candidates have now become eligible to participate in the counselling for NEET PG 2025," the affidavit clearly stated, as quoted by agency reports. The examination body placed comprehensive data before the court to demonstrate how the reduction has significantly expanded the eligible candidate pool.
Detailed Breakdown of Revised Percentile Criteria
Under the revised eligibility framework:
- The qualifying percentile for Unreserved (UR) candidates has been dramatically reduced from the 50th percentile to the 7th percentile.
- For Unreserved Persons with Disabilities (PwBD) candidates, the percentile has been lowered to the 5th percentile.
- For Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates, the percentile requirement has been reduced to zero.
This unprecedented reduction translates into cut-off scores that now allow candidates with marks as low as minus 40 out of 800 to participate in the counselling process, marking a significant departure from previous standards.
NBEMS Clarifies Its Limited Role in Decision-Making
In its comprehensive affidavit, NBEMS took pains to clarify that it did not initiate or take the decision to lower the qualifying percentile. The examination body emphasized that its role is strictly limited to conducting the NEET PG examination in a fair and transparent manner, evaluating responses, and handing over the final results to the appropriate counselling authority.
"The role of NBEMS is strictly limited to conducting the NEET PG examination in a fair and transparent manner, evaluating answers, and handing over the final results to the concerned Counselling Authority," the affidavit stated unequivocally.
The body further informed the court that the decision to revise the percentile falls "exclusively within the domain" of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the National Medical Commission. According to reports, the Union Health Ministry communicated the revised qualifying percentile for the third round of counselling on January 9 and directed NBEMS to publish updated results accordingly.
Vacant Medical Seats Prompted Eligibility Revision
According to detailed agency reports, the revision was implemented after more than 18,000 postgraduate medical seats remained vacant across the country following earlier counselling rounds. Authorities moved decisively to widen eligibility criteria in order to ensure that these valuable medical education seats could be filled, addressing concerns about medical workforce shortages.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions that challenge the cut-off reduction on multiple grounds. Petitioners have argued that altering eligibility conditions after the declaration of results violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution and fundamentally changes the rules of the selection process mid-way, creating potential unfairness.
Previous Judicial Consideration and Current Proceedings
The court had earlier issued formal notices to the Union government, NBEMS, the National Medical Commission and other relevant authorities on February 4. NBEMS also referenced a similar challenge that was dismissed by the Delhi High Court on January 21. The High Court observed that lowering the eligibility percentile for counselling does not automatically determine admission, as final seat allocation continues to depend strictly on merit during the counselling process itself.
The Supreme Court's forthcoming ruling will determine whether revising the qualifying percentile after results are declared is legally sustainable and whether such a significant step affects the fundamental fairness in a national entrance examination that functions both as a ranking mechanism and an essential eligibility filter for medical postgraduate education.
