'NEET-PG doesn't certify competence': Centre tells SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court connected Monday said it would analyse whether the crisp simplification successful the qualifying percentile for NEET-PG 2025-26 would impact standards successful postgraduate aesculapian education.Justice Narasimha observed that portion the Union was justified successful stating that NEET-PG was not an entry-level MBBS exam and that candidates are already qualified doctors, the tribunal would inactive person to see the interaction of drastically lowering the cut-off.“Adversely affecting the prime of acquisition is what we are much concerned, much than anything. More than anything, it is astir the quality. You volition person to fulfill america that the simplification of the cutoff truthful drastically, virtually bringing it to zero and non-existence...

Though you are justified successful saying that this is not similar introduction into MBBS, this is similar a post-graduation. It stands connected a antithetic footing due to the fact that those who use are already doctors.

But inactive successful the discourse of competition, we volition person to reflect,” helium said.Defending its decision, the Centre told the tribunal 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 make an inter se merit database for allocation of constricted postgraduate seats,” the Union said successful its affidavit.

It added that NEET-PG scores reflected comparative show and exam plan and “cannot beryllium construed arsenic determinative of objective incompetence”.The authorities further said concerns astir diligent information were misplaced, arsenic each candidates admitted to postgraduate courses are already licensed MBBS doctors and are legally allowed to practise. During postgraduate studies, they enactment nether changeless supervision of elder faculty.It besides said the determination to trim the percentile was taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission owed to a ample fig of vacant seats. Around 70,000 postgraduate seats were disposable for 2025-26, with implicit 2.24 lakh candidates appearing. After Round 2, 9,621 all-India quota seats remained vacant.A plea has challenged a January 13, 2026 announcement issued by the National Board of Examinations successful Medical Sciences reducing the qualifying percentile for the 3rd circular 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.