Mumbai, October 5: The recently released NEET-PG 2026 results have raised significant concerns as 258 candidates scored zero or negative marks. Out of a total of 263,535 candidates who qualified, the lowest score recorded was -59, leading to discussions about the eligibility of these candidates for MD and MS programs.
In the last three years, candidates with a zero percentile score have been given opportunities in counseling, prompting renewed debates about whether those scoring zero should be allowed to pursue postgraduate medical education.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) set the qualifying percentile for NEET-PG 2023 to zero, allowing candidates with low or negative scores to participate in counseling.
The Supreme Court has previously expressed concerns that lowering the qualifying percentile could compromise the quality of medical professionals. In February 2026, the court heard a petition regarding the qualifying cut-off for NEET-PG 2025-26, demanding explanations from both the government and NBEMS.
This petition, filed by social worker Harisharan Devgan and several doctors, argued that reducing the cut-off violated Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
The United Doctors Front Association (UDF), which advocates for the rights and dignity of medical professionals, strongly opposed the decision to set the NEET PG cut-off at zero percentile, claiming it would lead to a decline in the quality of doctors.
Academic expert Kunal Singh criticized the move, stating that reducing the cut-off is not about filling seats but rather about selling them. He highlighted that candidates with low scores might afford to pay for seats in government colleges, which could lead to a compromise in public health standards.
However, some argue that a lower cut-off does not necessarily mean poor-quality doctors will emerge. A professor from King George Medical University noted that the percentile data for specific specializations may not hold significant weight, and that candidates with lower percentiles often choose less popular seats.
In response to the Supreme Court’s scrutiny, NBEMS defended its decision by citing the over 18,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats across the country, which necessitated changes to the qualifying percentile for NEET-PG 2025 admissions.
Additionally, the Delhi High Court previously dismissed a case challenging the zero percentile cut-off, stating that concerns regarding public health risks and standards were unfounded. The court affirmed that there was no procedural irregularity in the decision-making process.
Currently, there are 33,088 government seats available for postgraduate medical courses in India.