Health ministry reduces NEET PG cut-off to zero percentile for this year

The Indian government has reduced the qualifying percentile to zero for NEET-PG-2023, allowing all medical graduates to participate in the counselling process for admission to super speciality courses this year. This decision was made to ensure that no PG seat goes vacant.

Durgesh Nandan Jha ,
TNN

Updated On Sep 21, 2023 at 08:07 AM IST

<p>It's mockery of system that 'zero' percentile candidates eligible for PG seats: Doctors' body on NEET PG-2023 cut-off</p> — It's mockery of system that 'zero' percentile candidates eligible for PG seats: Doctors' body on NEET PG-2023 cut-off

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday reduced the qualifying percentile to zero for NEET-PG-2023 across categories, making all medical graduates eligible to participate in the counselling process for admission to super speciality courses this year.

There are nearly 70,000 PG medical seats across India. Of them, 2,000-2500 seats remain vacant each year because there are no takers. Officials in the health ministry said a cut in qualifying percentile is to ensure that no PG seat goes waste. "Even this year, after two rounds of counselling for NEET-PG, many seats are lying vacant in specialities such as physiology, anatomy and biochemistry," said an official.

Percentile cut one-time move, say NMC officials

According to the government order issued on Wednesday, fresh registration and choice filling for round-3 of PG counselling will start for candidates who have become eligible after reduction of percentile.

"Candidates who have become freshly eligible can register and participate in round-3 of counselling," says the order. "The candidates who are already registered need not register again. However, they will be allowed to edit their choices. A fresh schedule for round-3 onwards for PG counselling will be put up on the MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) website soon," it says.

NMC officials said the drastic reduction in qualifying percentile is a one-time intervention.

"Many new medical colleges are coming up and we need teachers for pre-clinical specialities like physiology and anatomy. The reduction in qualifying percentile will allow those who want to pursue the same to seek admission," said an official.

He said NEET-PG remains relevant despite the zero cut-off because the applicants will be ranked on the basis of their scores.

The decision drew sharp reactions from the medical fraternity. While the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) supported the move, doctors' organisations like Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) opposed it. Dr Vinay Aggarwal, chairman of IMA's action committee, said the government's gesture to reduce percentile is welcome.

"However, we have to ensure that merit gets due recognition." he said.