- NEET PG Norms Eased
- Seats Remain Largely Vacant
- Doctors Divided Over Move
- Cut-off Triggers Debate
Article Today, New Delhi:
Medical education standards have once again come under national scrutiny following a decision by the Union government to lower eligibility criteria for postgraduate medical admissions. The move, aimed at ensuring that vacant PG medical seats do not go unfilled, has sparked widespread concern among doctors and the public alike. Candidates with very low scores, including negative marks, are now eligible to participate in counselling.
Context of Vacant Seats
Meanwhile, a large number of postgraduate medical seats continue to remain vacant across the country. After the conclusion of the second round of counselling, nearly 18,000 seats in government and private medical colleges were still unfilled. Officials said this persistent vacancy prompted the authorities to reconsider eligibility norms to prevent wastage of training capacity and public resources.
Revised Eligibility Decision
According to an order issued by the National Board of Examinations on January 13, the qualifying percentile for the third round of NEET PG counselling has been substantially reduced. For candidates belonging to reserved categories, the qualifying percentile has been brought down to zero. As a result, even those who scored below zero marks are now eligible for counselling.
Impact on NEET PG
The NEET PG is conducted for a total of 800 marks. Under the revised criteria, candidates with scores as low as minus 40 are eligible to compete for postgraduate seats. Therefore, aspirants who performed poorly in the examination can now pursue medical specialisation, a change that has drawn sharp reactions from several quarters.
Doctors Raise Concerns
However, medical professionals have expressed serious apprehensions about the dilution of standards. Many fear that allowing candidates with extremely low scores into postgraduate programmes could affect the quality of patient care in the long term. Professional bodies such as the Federation of All India Medical Associations have criticised the decision, stating that merit should not be compromised merely to fill seats.
Fears Over Training Quality
Experts have warned that postgraduate doctors often perform critical clinical procedures. They argue that lowering entry thresholds may undermine confidence in the medical profession and compromise patient safety. Some associations have alleged that pressure from private medical colleges, which face financial losses due to vacant seats, influenced the policy shift.
Government’s Clarification
In response, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has defended the decision. Officials pointed out that all NEET PG candidates are already qualified doctors who have completed MBBS degrees and mandatory internships. Therefore, the ministry maintained that their basic competence should not be questioned solely based on entrance examination scores.
Rationale Behind the Move
The government has also clarified that NEET PG primarily serves as a ranking examination rather than a definitive measure of clinical ability. In addition, officials argued that unfilled seats represent a loss of national educational infrastructure and delay the availability of trained specialists in public hospitals.
Past Precedents Cited
Authorities noted that similar relaxations have been implemented in the past when large numbers of seats remained vacant. Supporters of the decision argue that easing cut-offs could help address shortages of resident doctors in government hospitals and improve healthcare delivery, especially in underserved regions.
Medical Community Divided
The decision has clearly divided the medical fraternity. While one section prioritises optimal utilisation of available seats, another insists that maintaining academic and clinical standards is non-negotiable. The government has reiterated that admissions will continue through centralised counselling, ensuring transparency.
Larger Policy Question
Ultimately, the move has reopened a broader debate on whether filling seats should take precedence over preserving quality in medical education. As counselling progresses, the impact of the revised cut-off on postgraduate training and public confidence in healthcare will remain under close watch.
