NEET PG 2024 cut-off reduced as Delhi High Court confirms decision; revised counselling process to begin soon | Representative image
Mumbai: In a significant development for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) postgraduate (PG) aspirants, the Delhi High Court has confirmed the reduction in the cut-off percentile for admissions to Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Surgery (MS), and Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses for 2024.
The decision came after the counsel for the Union of India informed the court that the competent authority had approved the relaxation. Following this statement, the court disposed of the petition, noting that the relief sought had been granted.
The order, dictated by the court, acknowledged that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) had taken the decision to reduce the percentile, which would now apply to admissions conducted through the All India (AI) counselling process. The exact reduction in the cut-off is yet to be announced but is expected to be notified within a day or two.
This confirmation has set the stage for the next phase of counselling. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has already extended the resignation deadline for candidates from Round 2 of the All India quota (AIQ) until 6:00 PM on January 8, providing additional time for those awaiting results from states like Telangana, Rajasthan, and possibly Madhya Pradesh.
While the decision has brought relief to many, it has also sparked discussions on its broader implications. Brijesh Sutaria, a medical activist, highlighted the dual impact of the reduction.
“The reduction of the NEET PG percentile presents both opportunities and challenges for medical education. On the positive side, it increases accessibility, fills vacant seats in private and deemed universities, provides opportunities for marginal candidates, boosts revenue for colleges, and helps address the shortage of specialists in India. However, it also raises concerns about the quality of education, the neglect of non-clinical branches, and the sustainability of teaching standards for foundational subjects like anatomy and biochemistry. While clinical branches thrive due to better career prospects and earning potential, non-clinical branches remain critical for research and academia. To balance these dynamics, the Government must create awareness, offer incentives, and ensure that all branches of medical education contribute effectively to healthcare and education,” he told the Free Press Journal.
Adding to this, Sudha Shenoy, a medical students’ counsellor, emphasised the importance of timely seat conversion during the counselling process. “The seat conversion should start in Round 3 itself. The MCC should not wait for stray rounds to convert the seats for reservation candidates, especially the PwD candidates. If the conversion happens later, general category students with higher marks will not be able to take advantage of better seats emerging after Round 3, as they’ll get stuck and will have to confirm admissions in Round 3 itself,” she explained.
Following the announcement of the revised cut-off, the process will involve several steps, including the issuance of a notification by the MoHFW to the National Medical Commission (NMC) to implement the reduction.
The National Board of Examinations (NBE) will subsequently announce the revised cut-off percentile, after which the MCC will release an updated schedule for the AI and state counselling timelines.
Candidates who become eligible under the reduced cut-off will be able to register afresh for AI Round 3 counselling. The choice-filling process for this round is expected to commence after January 8, though candidates are advised to monitor notifications closely in case of any earlier announcements.
Meanwhile, some states, including Uttar Pradesh and Goa, have already issued schedules for their respective counselling processes, despite delays in the All India timeline. States with Round 2 resignation deadlines, such as Uttarakhand, may revise their schedules in line with the updated timelines once officially announced. Candidates are encouraged to comply with state-specific requirements if those processes are already underway.
