The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has reduced the NEET PG qualifying percentile for the 2024-25 academic year twice. First, the National Medical Commission (NMC) lowered the cutoff to 15 percentile for UR candidates and 10 percentile for SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates. Subsequently, authorities lowered the cutoff to 5 percentile for all categories, without altering the NEET PG rank and percentile.
Revised NEET PG 2024 Cutoff
| Category | Initial Cutoff | Revised Cutoff | Final Cutoff |
| UR Candidates | Standard Cutoff | 15 Percentile | 5 Percentile |
| SC, ST, OBC, PwD Candidates | Standard Cutoff | 10 Percentile | 5 Percentile |
Concerns Over Medical Education Standards
The reduction in NEET PG cutoff has sparked a debate regarding its impact on medical education and healthcare quality. Authorities reportedly made this decision to address the shortage of medical professionals, but many doctors and experts argue that it could lower educational standards and affect healthcare delivery.
Stakeholder Reactions
| Concern | Argument |
| Quality of Medical Education | Lower cutoffs may allow students with lower academic proficiency into specialized medical courses. |
| Impact on Healthcare | A less-qualified medical workforce could reduce the quality of patient care and healthcare services. |
| Addressing Doctor Shortage | Authorities claim the move aims to fill vacant PG medical seats and meet rising demand for doctors. |
| Competency Issues | Doctors emphasize that NEET PG ensures only competent candidates enter MD/MS programs. |
Doctors Warn of Declining Standards
Several medical professionals stress that NEET PG serves as a screening process to ensure qualified doctors enter the system. They caution that lowering the cutoff may compromise competency in medical education and ultimately affect patient care.
Survey Reveals Mixed Opinions
Experts Gathered opinions from medical aspirants and stakeholders, revealing:
- 60% believe that lowering the cutoff compromises medical education and healthcare standards.
- 31% support the decision, arguing it reduces competition and increases access to medical education.
Key Question for the Future
The policy shift raises a critical dilemma: Should eligibility standards be relaxed to address the doctor shortage, or should quality benchmarks be upheld to ensure competent medical professionals? The debate continues as stakeholders weigh the long-term impact on India’s healthcare system.
Read more:
- NEET SS 2024: NBEMS Introduces Three-Timed Sections
- JKBOPEE Releases NEET PG 2024 Special Stray Vacancy Round Counselling Results
