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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said it would examine whether the sharp reduction in the qualifying percentile for NEET-PG 2025-26 would affect standards in postgraduate medical education.Justice Narasimha observed that while the Union was justified in stating that NEET-PG was not an entry-level MBBS exam and that candidates are already qualified doctors, the court would still have to consider the impact of drastically lowering the cut-off.“Adversely affecting the quality of education is what we are more concerned, more than anything. More than anything, it is about the quality. You will have to satisfy us that the reduction of the cutoff so drastically, virtually bringing it to zero and non-existence… Though you are justified in saying that this is not like entry into MBBS, this is like a post-graduation. It stands on a different footing because those who apply are already doctors. But still in the context of competition, we will have to reflect,” he said.Defending its decision, the Centre told the court that NEET-PG did not certify minimum competence. “NEET-PG is not to certify minimum competence, which stands established by the MBBS qualification itself of the candidates but to generate an inter se merit list for allocation of limited postgraduate seats,” the Union said in its affidavit. It added that NEET-PG scores reflected relative performance and exam design and “cannot be construed as determinative of clinical incompetence”.The government further said concerns about patient safety were misplaced, as all candidates admitted to postgraduate courses are already licensed MBBS doctors and are legally allowed to practise. During postgraduate studies, they work under constant supervision of senior faculty.It also said the decision to reduce the percentile was taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission due to a large number of vacant seats. Around 70,000 postgraduate seats were available for 2025-26, with over 2.24 lakh candidates appearing. After Round 2, 9,621 all-India quota seats remained vacant.A plea has challenged a January 13, 2026 notice issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences reducing the qualifying percentile for the third round of NEET-PG 2025-26 counselling.Under the revised criteria, the minimum qualifying percentile for unreserved candidates was reduced from the 50th percentile to the 7th percentile. For unreserved persons with disabilities candidates, it was reduced to the 5th percentile. For Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes candidates, the percentile was reduced to zero.
