NEET PG qualifying score reduced to fill seats, RS told

The government reduced the qualifying percentile for eligibility to PG Counselling 2025 to ensure precious PG medical seats do not remain vacant

Published on: Feb 11, 2026, 06:54:14 IST

By Ridhima Gupta, New Delhi

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The government has reduced the qualifying eligibility percentile for postgraduate medical counselling in 2025 to prevent PG seats from remaining vacant, minister of state for health Anupriya Patel told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Rajya Sabha proceedings underway during the Budget Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Sansad TV)

In a written reply, Patel said: “Consistent with past academic years which had proven effective in ensuring maximum seat utilisation, the government reduced the qualifying percentile for eligibility to PG Counselling 2025 to ensure precious PG medical seats do not remain vacant.”

The move follows the completion of two rounds of counselling. The reply further read: “The decision to revise the qualifying percentiles follows the completion of Round-2 counselling by MCC wherein it was reported that of the 29,476 seats offered by MCC for counselling, 9,621 seats remained vacant. Further, as counselling for 50% seats is conducted by respective state authorities, it was assessed that approximately 20,000 seats (including DNB seats) were vacant after two rounds.”

The minister reiterated that the qualifying percentiles for NEET PG 2025 were revised and under the new criteria, general category candidates are eligible above the 7th percentile, PwD candidates above the 5th percentile, while all SC, ST and OBC candidates have been declared qualified.

Patel clarified that the Medical Counselling Committee of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) conducts counselling for 50% All India Quota seats and 100% seats of central and deemed universities, while state governments handle counselling for state quota and private medical college seats.

A public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the January 13 Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) notification that reduced qualifying percentiles for NEET PG 2025–26 admissions, allowing eligibility at zero and negative marks, was filed by Harisharan Devgan, Dr Saurav Kumar, Dr Lakshya Mittal and Dr Akash Soni through senior advocate Sonia Mathur, along with advocate Satyam Singh Rajput.

NEET-PG is the national-level eligibility-cum-ranking examination for MBBS graduates seeking admission to MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), PG Diploma courses, and DNB (Diplomate of National Board) broad specialty programs across public and private medical institutions in India.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ridhima Gupta
Ridhima Gupta is a Principal Correspondent at Hindustan Times, where she covers healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and public health policy. Her reporting centers on Delhi’s major hospitals (AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lok Nayak), the state health department, and emerging medical trends. Ridhima is particularly interested in reporting on healthcare issues through the lens of women, children, and persons with disabilities. Her work often explores the intersection of healthcare and public policy, examining how these factors shape access health care. Based in New Delhi, many of her reports have led to direct government action over the years, in different city. Earlier this year, she completed a media training workshop on the Impact of Extreme Heat on Health, organised by the Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC), further strengthening her interest in reporting on the intersection of climate change and public health. A postgraduate from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Ridhima has around a decade of experience in journalism. She began her career as a trainee television reporter with Mirror Now in Mumbai and has since worked across multiple cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi, contributing to both print and broadcast newsrooms. She is a recipient of the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022) for her reporting on education, disability, and women’s issues. Before joining Hindustan Times, Ridhima worked with The Times of India, New Indian Express and News18. A native of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Ridhima completed her undergraduate studies in Biotechnology. And when she is not working as a journalist she likes to paint and go on nature hikes.Read More

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