The Supreme Court on Friday asked the National Board of Medical Examinations (NBEMS) to file an affidavit explaining the reasons behind the reduction in eligibility cut-off percentile for NEET-PG 2025-26.
bench Justice Pamidigantam Shri Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradheard a plea to challenge Notice dated January 13th Published by NBEMS to reduce eligibility cutoff percentile.
During the hearing, Justice Narasimha said the issue involved competing considerations that needed to be balanced. “On the one hand, there is this competing value to ensure that seats are not wasted. At the same time, there is pressure that candidates may not show up, so reduce your deadlines.” he said, adding:In that case, the argument would be that standards are being lowered and seats would be wasted. So we need to strike a balance somewhere.”
The court indicated that the court would consider whether the decision made was “fundamentally wrong”. he said:Our conscience must be convinced that there are no unjust reasons, that’s all”
The charge notification dated January 13, 2026 reduced the minimum eligibility percentile cut-off for third round counseling of NEET-PG 2025-26 for various categories.
As per the notification, the eligibility cut-off for General/EWS candidates has been reduced from 50th percentile (276 marks out of 800) to 7th percentile (103 marks). For General PwBD candidates, it has been reduced from 45th percentile (255 marks) to 5th percentile (90 marks). For SC/ST/OBC candidates including PwBD candidates in these categories, it has been reduced from 40th percentile (235 marks) to 0 percentile (minus 40 marks).
today, Senior Advisor Gopal Sankarnarayanan The petitioners relied on the applicable provisions which provide that if sufficient number of candidates are not able to secure the prescribed minimum marks in the respective categories, the Central Government, in consultation with the National Medical Commission, may reduce the minimum marks in its discretion. He submitted this:That means the test doesn’t have enough candidates.”
He pointed out that while about 80,000 seats are available, more than 128,000 candidates fall in the eligibility percentile of various categories, namely 50th, 45th, or 40th percentile. “So let them answer that. You can’t go down to minus 40 (marks). That means you’ll be in a better position if you didn’t take the exam.” he said.
Sankarunarayanan argued that standards should be stricter at the graduate level. “in fact Preeti Srivastava The judgment indicates a higher standard for a higher level, not a lower level.” was submitted.
The court asked the NBE to file an affidavit explaining the reasons behind the decision to reduce the eligibility percentile.
On Wednesday, the court issued notice on a petition challenging the January 13 notification lowering the eligibility cut-off percentile for NEET-PG 2025-26.
According to the petition, the cut-off was lowered to an abnormally low level, such as zero or negative points. The petitioners argue that the lowering of the qualification standards for graduate medical education is arbitrary and violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
They argue that lowering the cutoff would compromise patient safety, public health, and the integrity of medical professionals.
The petition further contends that the dilution of merit at the postgraduate level is contrary to the statutory obligations of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
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