The Supreme Court on Monday (May 4) called for creation of an institutional mechanism to address the recurring issues arising from reduction in score cut-off percentiles in NEET-PG, observing that the issue arises every year and requires a structured solution.
“This happens every year as academic sessions continue, counseling continues and youngsters face many problems while a large number of seats remain vacant. The system may need to be modified. The method needs to be institutionalized.” the court observed.
A bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe was hearing a plea challenging the decision to lower the qualifying cut-off percentiles for the National Eligibility Examinations and Postgraduate Entrance Test (NEET-PG).
The challenge arises from a January 13, 2026 notification issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, which reduced the score percentile cut-offs for the third round of counseling in NEET-PG 2025-26.
The cut-off for General/EWS candidates was reduced from the 50th percentile (276 out of 800 points) to the 7th percentile (103 points). For general PwBD candidates, it was reduced from the 45th percentile (255 points) to the 5th percentile (90 points). For SC/ST/OBC candidates, including PwBD candidates, it was reduced from 40th percentile (235 marks) to 0th percentile (minus 40 marks).
During the hearing, the Court noted that the issue of lowering the limits and the resulting complications in counseling has arisen every year. In previous NEET-PG admission cycles, lowering of score percentiles has been resorted to.
In 2021 and 2022, the limit was reduced by between 15 and 25 percentile points in all categories to fill vacant positions. In 2023, the scoring percentile was reduced to 0th percentile for all categories including General/EWS, SC/ST/OBC and PwD candidates, allowing qualification even with negative scores.
In 2024, the cutoff was again reduced during the counseling rounds to 15th percentile for General/EWS and 10th percentile for SC/ST/OBC. These reductions were made after initial rounds of counseling to fill vacant positions.
The Court suggested that the government consider constituting a committee to conduct a performance audit and examine why the problem arises year after year. He highlighted that these issues are repeatedly argued in court and then fade away, noting that a considerable amount of public time and money is being spent on litigation over this issue.
The Court asked the Center and the concerned Ministry to set up a working institution to examine why the problems are recurring and come up with solutions along with a law enforcement mechanism. He listed the matter after two weeks and noted that once such institutional mechanism is in place and working in real time, the courts may not need to interfere.
In earlier proceedings, the Tribunal had indicated that it would examine whether the sharp reduction in scoring percentile for NEET-PG 2025-26 affects standards in postgraduate medical education. The Center had claimed that the decision to reduce the percentile was taken in view of vacancies and NEET-PG does not certify minimum clinical competency as candidates already possess MBBS degrees and the exam is meant to prepare an inter se merit list.
The Court had observed that while the Union’s stand that NEET-PG is distinct from MBBS entry is valid, it would still need to examine the impact of drastically reducing the cut-off, “virtually taking it to zero”, particularly in the context of maintaining standards.
Case no. – WP(C) No. 136/2026 and related issues
Case Title – Harisharan Devgan v. Union of India and Related Matters
