NEET PG Cutoff Reduction Lowers Quality Standard, Reveals Shiksha Poll

As per the recent poll conducted by Shiksha.com concerning the consequences of NEET PG cutoff percentile reduction, over 60% of aspirants and stakeholders said that lowering the cutoff reduces quality standards. While 31% of students said lowering the cutoff reduces competition.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has reduced the NEET PG qualifying percentile twice in the academic year 2024-25. Firstly, the NMC reduced the cutoff to 15 percentile for UR candidates while the SC, ST, OBC and PwD candidates with qualifying percentile of over and above 10 were eligible to appear for NEET PG counselling. Later, the NEET PG qualifying cutoff was reduced to 5 percentile for all categories. Yet, no change in NEET PG rank and percentile was made by the authorities. 

However, the reduction in the NEET PG 2024 cutoff percentile has sparked a significant debate about the quality standards in medical education and healthcare future across the country. The NEET PG qualifying cutoff, a fundamental standard that determines eligibility to apply for PG medical admission in India, was allegedly reduced this year to address the current medical professional shortage. However, several doctors expressed concern that as more students gain access to specialization courses, the quality of medical education is prone to suffer.

NEET PG Cutoff Reduction: Quality of Medical Standards May Suffer

Stakeholders are concerned that reducing the NEET PG cutoff may result in a decline in healthcare delivery standards since students with lesser marks might end up studying specialized courses designed for people who have higher capabilities. In recent years, the number of qualified NEET PG students has significantly decreased and has caused increasing demand for healthcare professionals.

Following this, The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in consultation with the National Medical Commission (NMC), announced a reduction in the NEET PG cutoff aiming to fill the vacant seats for admission and also to meet the increasing demand for doctors in India. While the aim behind the reduction is genuine, stakeholders argued that students with less academic and clinical knowledge will have access to MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery) programmes, ultimately affecting healthcare service in India, 

Several doctors have pointed out that NEET PG is an entrance examination to ensure qualified doctors will be placed in the country. Reducing the cutoff will not only increase incompetency in medical education but also in healthcare services. 

Lowering NEET PG Cutoff Reduces Quality Standard: Reveals Shiksha Poll

 Over 60% of aspirants and stakeholders, in a poll conducted by Shiksha.com, said that lowering the cutoff reduces the quality standards of medical education and healthcare in general. On the other hand, 31% of students said lowering the cutoff reduces competition and allows access to medical education. 

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