NEET PG Cut Off Reduction: Centre Says Patient Safety Concerns Misleading As Candidates Are Already MBBS Degree Holders

The Centre has defended the lowered NEET PG 2025 cut-offs before the Supreme Court. As per the centre, NEET PG does not certify minimum competence, but is merely a filtering mechanism for allocation of limited postgraduate seats.

The affidavit filed by the Union of India states that NEET PG scores are a function of relative performance and examination design and cannot be construed as determinative of clinical incompetence.

While addressing concerns of patient safety, the affidavit said that candidates function under constant supervision of senior faculty and specialists during the training, and final competence is assessed at the exit level through MD/MS examinations.

It is submitted that concerns raised about patient safety are misplaced. All candidates admitted to postgraduate courses are already licensed MBBS practitioners. As MBBS doctors, they are entitled to practice independently. During postgraduate studies, which is a structured three-year supervised training program, and final competence is rigorously assessed at the exit level candidates remain under constant supervision. In MD/MS exams candidates must secure at least 50% marks separately in theory and practical examinations without any relaxation preserving standard.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission decided to reduce the percetile cut-off in view of the large number of anticipated vacant seats. This would add additional 1,00,054 candidates in the third round, inceasing the total eligible candidates to 2,28,170.

The affidavit is filed in a writ petition challenging the NBEMS notice to reduce the cut-off for counselling third round.