NEET-PG 2025: Cut-offs drop to zero for reserved categories to fill seats
NEET-PG 2025: Cut-offs drop to zero for reserved categories to fill seats
NEET-PG 2025 third-round cut-offs lowered to zero for reserved categories to utilise over 18,000 unfilled seats, as NBEMS seeks to expand India’s medical workforce.
New Delhi — After two rounds of counselling, more than 18,000 postgraduate medical seats in government and private colleges across the country remain unfilled, prompting the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences to revise the qualifying percentiles for NEET-PG 2025 admissions. In a move aimed at better utilisation of seats and to boost India's pool of medical specialists, NBEMS has reduced the minimum qualifying percentile cut-off to zero for the third round for reserved categories, making all candidates who appeared for NEET-PG 2025 eligible for counselling, even those with negative marks due to the exam's negative marking scheme.
The NEET-PG 2025 result was declared on August 19, 2025, with more than 2.42 lakh candidates appearing in the exam. The computer-based test was conducted in a single shift across 301 cities and 1,052 test centres — the largest such exam in India. NBEMS engaged over 2,200 faculty members from various medical colleges and NBEMS-accredited hospitals to supervise the exam and ensure fair conduct.
A Health Ministry official explained that the revised qualifying percentile across categories is intended to ensure optimal utilization of available seats. This change broadens the pool for the third-round counselling, potentially allowing more candidates to be admitted into postgraduate programmes and, ultimately, expanding the country’s cadre of medical specialists.
The move follows directions issued by the Ministry on January 9 this year and was accompanied by NBEMS notices in New Delhi, detailing that the minimum qualifying percentile cut-off for third-round counselling has been reduced for various categories. While supporters argue the step will reduce seat wastage and improve access, critics warn it could raise concerns about merit and the counseling process transparency. NBEMS notes that the process will continue with strict adherence to guidelines and fair practice, supported by the observed governance framework and the ongoing drive to strengthen healthcare education and services.
