Doctors Oppose NBE’s NEET PG 2025 Cut-Off Reduction

Call for Union Health Ministry Intervention

In New Delhi, a coalition of doctors has voiced strong opposition to the National Board of Examinations’ (NBE) recent decision to lower the qualifying cut-off percentile for the National Eligibility Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025 exam to zero. The doctors, representing the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) and the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), have reached out to the Union Health Ministry, requesting its intervention.

Concerns Over Patient Safety and Meritocracy

The reduction of the cut-off to zero percentile, allowing candidates with scores as low as -40 to enroll in postgraduate medical courses, has been described as a “blow to meritocracy” and a “direct threat to patient safety and public health.” The doctors are urging Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda to reverse this decision. FORDA has proposed the establishment of a high-level committee involving the National Medical Commission (NMC) and NBE to transparently review and standardize cutoff policies. FAIMA has warned that if corrective actions are not taken promptly, they will initiate nationwide protests in collaboration with resident doctors and medical associations.

NBE’s Notification on Cut-Off Adjustment

Details of the Revised Cut-Off Percentiles

NBE issued a notice on January 13, 2026, announcing the reduction of the minimum qualifying percentile cut-off for the counseling of the third round of NEET PG 2025-2026 for various candidate categories. According to the revised thresholds, the qualifying cut-offs have been set at 7th, 5th, and 0th percentiles for the General/EWS, General PwBD, and SC/ST/OBC (including PwBD of SC/ST/OBC) categories, respectively. This change results in cut-off scores of 103 for General/EWS, 90 for General PwBD, and -40 for SC/ST/OBC candidates.

Impact on Clinical Specialties

Doctors have expressed concern that this new policy allows candidates scoring as low as -40 marks to qualify for admission into highly competitive clinical specialties, which they believe undermines the principle of merit. Dr. Rohan Krishnan, Chief Patron of FAIMA, criticized the policy, stating that it permits individuals who fall below acceptable standards to work in prestigious hospitals, thereby diluting the quality of medical professionals.

Critique of Private Medical Colleges

Concerns About Educational Standards

Dr. Krishnan asserted that the decision primarily aims to fill seats in private medical colleges, where admission processes often lack transparency and quality. He noted that many students are reluctant to enroll in institutions that do not meet educational standards due to inadequate faculty and infrastructure.

Potential Consequences for Healthcare

Dr. Krishnan cautioned that while students may initially feel content with their qualifications, future exit exams could prevent them from becoming specialists, ultimately benefiting private medical colleges at the expense of the healthcare system’s integrity. He emphasized the need for maintaining high standards to ensure that Indian doctors retain their global reputation.

FORDA’s Statement on NEET PG Cut-Off Changes

Impact on Public Trust and Healthcare Quality

In a joint statement, FORDA representatives Dr. Devaunshi Kaul and Dr. Meet Ghonia highlighted the risks associated with diluting standards without proper justification or stakeholder consultation. They emphasized that this move could severely compromise the quality of future healthcare and erode public trust in medical professionals.

Appeal for Restoration of Merit-Based Standards

FORDA expressed dismay over the NBE’s decision, asserting that it undermines the merit-based selection process essential for competent candidates entering specialized training. They called for the Health Minister’s intervention to restore the original qualifying criteria based on empirical data and expert review.

FAIMA’s Warning of Nationwide Protests

Emphasis on Ethical Standards in Medical Training

FAIMA has indicated that if timely corrective measures are not implemented, they will initiate nationwide protests. They expressed that the drastic reduction in the cut-off undermines the credibility and purpose of the NEET PG examination, raising ethical concerns about allowing candidates with negative scores to qualify for postgraduate medical training.

Concerns for Vulnerable Populations

The association highlighted how such a reduction could adversely affect patient safety and public health, especially for the poor and vulnerable populations reliant on government and teaching hospitals. FAIMA condemned the decision, urging the government to withdraw the notification and reinstate a reasonable, merit-based cut-off.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding the NBE’s decision to lower the NEET PG 2025 qualifying cut-off has sparked significant unrest within the medical community. Both FORDA and FAIMA are advocating for a re-evaluation of the policy to ensure that the integrity of medical education and patient care is upheld.