Candidates with Negative and Single-Digit Scores Secure PG Seats
The release of the third-round counselling allotments for NEET-PG 2025–26 has ignited a nationwide debate after candidates with negative and single-digit scores secured postgraduate seats in government medical colleges. Medical professionals across the country have expressed alarm, arguing that such low scores reflect inadequate foundational knowledge and may compromise the quality of specialist training and patient safety.
Concerns Over Dilution of Minimum Qualifying Standards
Doctors have long been apprehensive about the reduction in minimum qualifying standards for NEET-PG. However, the allotment of MD and MS seats to candidates with extremely low—even negative—scores has intensified these concerns. Many believe that such decisions could adversely impact the future of medical education and erode public trust in the healthcare system.
Viral List Sparks Public Outrage
A list circulating on social media has further fueled the controversy. It reportedly shows around nine candidates who secured postgraduate seats despite scoring as low as -12, -8, -5, 4, 10, and 11 out of 800. These candidates were allotted seats in branches such as Physiology, Biochemistry, Orthopaedics, General Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and General Surgery across various medical colleges in India.
Clinical and Surgical Seats Under Scrutiny
Particularly concerning for many in the medical fraternity is that these allotments include core clinical and surgical branches. For example, an MS Orthopaedics seat at a government medical college in Rohtak was reportedly allotted to a candidate who scored just 4 marks. Similarly, a Physiology seat in Tamil Nadu went to a candidate with -12 marks, while reputed institutions in Delhi saw seats in OBGYN and General Surgery filled at 44 and 47 marks, respectively.
NBE’s Decision to Lower Percentile Cut-Offs
The situation follows the National Board of Examinations (NBE)’s notice dated 13 January 2026, which sharply reduced the qualifying percentiles for the third round of counselling. For the 2025–26 academic session, the revised cut-offs were set at the 7th percentile for General/EWS, 5th percentile for General PwBD, and 0th percentile for SC/ST/OBC (including PwBD). Consequently, the revised qualifying scores were 103 for General/EWS, 90 for General PwBD, and -40 for SC/ST/OBC categories.
Medical Fraternity Calls for Rational Standards
While acknowledging the challenge of vacant postgraduate seats, doctors argue that lowering standards to unprecedented levels is not the solution. Postgraduate medical education involves advanced clinical training, including surgeries, ICU management, and critical decision-making. Many believe that admitting candidates without demonstrated minimum competency could weaken specialist training and jeopardize patient care.
FAIMA Urges Government Intervention
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the NBE to review the matter. The association emphasized that postgraduate medical training directly impacts human lives and that eligibility benchmarks exist to ensure minimum competence. FAIMA has called for a transparent review of seat vacancies and policy reforms in consultation with medical associations and public health experts.
Growing Voices of Protest from Doctors’ Groups
Other organizations, including the United Doctors Front (UDF) and the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN), have echoed similar concerns. Leaders such as Dr Rohan Krishnan, Dr Lakshya Mittal, and Dr Dhruv Chauhan have warned that drastically lowering cut-offs risks undermining meritocracy and patient safety. They argue that while vacant seats pose administrative challenges, safeguarding the integrity and standards of medical education must remain a top priority.
