NEET PG Admission: Cut-off slashed to zero percentile for reserved categories, temporary move to fill vacant seats

NEW DELHI: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) reduced the cut-off scores of NEET PG 2025 third round counselling to fill vacant seats in postgraduate medical courses. The cut-off score for SC, ST and OBC categories was reduced to zero percentile, and the cut-off score to minus 40 (-40). The NBEMS announced that the move is temporary. There is no change in the NEET PG 2025 ranks published on August 19, 2025.

The earlier 40 percentile for reserved categories has been reduced to zero. The eligibility percentile for the general category has been fixed at 7 (previously 50) and the cut-off score at 103. The percentile for the differently-abled category is 5 (previously 45), and the cut-off score is 90.

The action is as per the directives of the Union Health Ministry to resolve the vacant seats in postgraduate courses after the second counselling. The Indian Medical Association had also demanded a revision in the eligibility criteria. Last academic year, more than 15,000 seats were vacant.

Candidates must fulfil the eligibility criteria mentioned in the NEET PG 2025 Information Bulletin. Face ID or biometric verification may be done at the time of counselling. In case of candidates with equal marks, if MBBS marks are used for tie-breaking, original scorecards must be produced.

The Federation of All India Medical Associations pointed out that lowering the cut-off will affect the quality of the medical sector. They also demanded that additional exams be conducted rather than reducing the qualifying marks.