Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Delhi HC Upholds Lowered NEET-PG 2025 Cut-offs
The Delhi High Court recently dismissed a complaint against the decision to lower the passing marks for NEET-PG 2025.
The complaint argued that lowering the marks would result in less qualified doctors.
However, the court said that the purpose of higher education is to make doctors more skilled, not to judge their initial quality.
The court also questioned why medical seats should be left empty.
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) reduced the passing marks to fill over 18,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats across the country.
The cut-off was reduced to zero for reserved categories and to seven percentile for the general category.
The third round of counselling is currently ongoing, and a similar complaint is pending in the Supreme Court.
Some doctors' groups oppose the move, arguing it compromises merit and could affect critical specialties.
Delhi High Court dismissed a plea against the lowered NEET-PG 2025 cut-off marks.
Petitioner claimed lowered cut-off would compromise the quality of medical professionals and patient safety.
Court stated higher education develops skills and does not judge doctor quality; leaving seats vacant is not in public interest.
Over 18,000 postgraduate medical seats were vacant nationwide, leading to the cut-off reduction.
NBEMS reduced the cut-off to zero for reserved categories and seven percentile for the general category, with the third round of counselling ongoing.
- Who
- Delhi High Court, National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), Petitioner, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA)
- What
- Dismissal of plea against lowered NEET-PG 2025 cut-off marks
- When
- Wednesday, January 22, 2026
- Where
- Delhi High Court, New Delhi
- Why
- To fill vacant postgraduate medical seats and increase candidate pool
Petitioner's Argument
Government and Court's Stance
Quality of Medical Professionals
Petitioner's Argument
Lowered cut-off compromises the quality of doctors entering specialist programmes, risking patient safety.
Government and Court's Stance
Higher education improves skills; NEET-PG does not judge overall doctor quality, only sorts candidates for specialized courses.
Vacant Seats
Petitioner's Argument
Not explicitly stated, but implied that maintaining higher standards is more important than filling seats.
Government and Court's Stance
Leaving seats vacant is not in public interest; reducing cut-offs ensures optimal utilization of medical education resources.
Eligibility and Merit
Petitioner's Argument
Diluting eligibility criteria defeats the purpose of competitive examinations and compromises merit.
Government and Court's Stance
Admissions remain merit-based, determined by NEET-PG rank and candidate preferences, with no discretionary admissions allowed.
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Petitioner's Claim
- Lowered cut-off compromises medical professional quality and patient safety
- Court's Response
- Higher education develops skills; NEET-PG sorts candidates for specialized courses
- Vacant Seats
- Over 18,000 postgraduate medical seats vacant nationwide
- Cut-off Reduction
- Zero for reserved categories, seven percentile for general
- Counselling Round
- Third round of counselling ongoing
- Respondent's Argument
- Lower cut-off fills vacant seats and increases candidate pool
- Supreme Court Petition
- Similar petition pending in Supreme Court
- NBEMS
- National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences
- Total Postgraduate Seats
- Over 57,000 in government and private institutions
Sources
Delhi HC Dismisses Plea against Lowered NEET-PG Cut off
NEET-PG cut off row: ‘Will it be in public interest to leave the seats vacant?’ Delhi HC dismisses plea
Lower NEET PG 2025 Cut-off Valid, Leaving Seats Vacant Not In Public Interest: Delhi HC
J&K: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Students Will Be Allotted to Seven Colleges
NEET-PG Cutoff Cut Sparks Merit Debate
NBEMS FMGE December 2025 Results Expected On This Date
NBEMS Announces NEET PG 2026 Exam Date; Other Key Dates For Medical Entrance Exams Out
Assam NEET PG 2026 Round 3 Counselling Schedule Revised; Key Dates Out
