NEET PG 2026: Registrations Begin Soon; Govt Reviews Zero-percentile Rule Amid Quality Concerns

NEET PG 2026 registration process will begin soon, as the government is reviewing zero-percentile qualifying cutoff criteria. Despite reducing cutoffs last year, 1,140 PG seats remained vacant. Union ministry now planning to limit NEET PG cutoff to 40th percentile in order to protect the quality of PG medical education. Meanwhile, the NEET PG registration 2026 process will begin anytime at natboard.edu.in. 

NEET PG 2026 registration process will begin soon. NBEMS will begin NEET PG application process 2026 for admission to PG medical courses, i.e. MD, MS and DNB courses. The Union health ministry is reviewing the zero-percentile eligibility criteria for medical admissions across India. Authorities introduced this relaxation in 2024 to avoid vacant seats in clinical specialities. However, authorities are now shifting back toward strict merit-based qualifications to ensure quality education.

NEET PG 2026: Centre May Drop Zero-Percentile Rule

Across 85,839 medical postgraduate seats across various government and private colleges through NEET PG scores. Despite lowering the NEET PG 2026 cutoff percentile to zero, 1,140 postgraduate seats remained unfilled in the 2025-26 academic year. 

The central government spends about INR 1.25 crore to maintain a single postgraduate medical seat for a period of three years. Hence, it is important that the quality of the medical fraternity is maintained for the betterment of medical facilities in India. 

Proposed 40th Percentile Cutoff

Reportedly, the Union health ministry is planning for a more balanced evaluation. As per media reports, two senior government officials confirmed a stable 40th percentile cutoff might replace the zero-percentile rule. This will ensure that only qualified medical graduates will become doctors.

NEET PG 2026 Registration Begins Soon

The National Board of Examinations will open the NEET PG 2026 application process soon. Candidates must keep their MBBS provisional certificates and mandatory internship completion documents ready. The official NEET PG 2026 notification and information brochure will be released soon at natboard.edu.in.

Read more:

• Will NExT Replace NEET PG 2026 This Year? Medicos Seeks Clarity on NEET PG Dates & Schedule
• Will NEET PG Registration 2026 Begin This Week? Check Latest Update on Application Dates & Schedule