BREAKING NEWS

NEET PG 2025 Cut-Off Slashed to Zero/-40: What It Means for Counselling and Vacant PG Seats

7 min read

July 10, 2025

In a dramatic and historic shift for medical education in India, the qualifying cut-off for NEET PG 2025 counselling has been drastically lowered — and this change could reshape postgraduate medical admissions for years to come.

-40

New Minimum Score for NEET PG 2025 Eligibility

A Historic Change in NEET PG

For the first time ever, candidates who scored as low as -40 out of 800 are now technically eligible to participate in counselling. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) reduced the qualifying percentile from the traditional benchmarks to just 7th percentile for General/EWS, 5th for General-PwBD and 0th percentile for SC/ST/OBC candidates — meaning even very low scorers can enter counselling if they choose.

Unprecedented Decision

This was done in response to a massive number of vacant postgraduate medical seats nationwide — a situation that has raised alarm in policy circles, medical colleges, and student communities alike. After two rounds of counselling, over 9,000 MD/MS/DNB seats were still unfilled across India — a staggering number in a country already facing doctor shortages.

Why the Cut-Off Was Lowered

The official rationale behind relaxing the qualifying criteria was simple: fill vacant seats rather than let them go unused. When tens of thousands of seats remain empty after multiple counselling rounds, the government and NBEMS took the extraordinary step of expanding eligibility in hopes of giving deserving MBBS doctors a chance to enter specialist training.

Legal Support

Even the Delhi High Court and Allahabad High Court refused to block the decision, acknowledging that leaving so many postgraduate seats vacant could harm public health goals and the larger medical workforce pipeline.

What This Means for NEET PG Counselling

For students and parents navigating NEET PG 2025 counselling, the implications are profound:

More Candidates, Not More Seats

The cut-off drop expands eligibility, not seat count. The number of PG seats in MD, MS, Diploma and DNB programs remains the same — only the pool of eligible aspirants has grown. That means competition in later rounds, especially Round 3 and beyond, will be fierce even for leftover seats.

Vacant Seats Could Still Go Unfilled

Even with eligibility widened, many seats — particularly in less popular branches or less sought-after colleges — remain difficult to fill. A revised seat matrix released for Round 3 showed thousands of virtual vacancies still open nationwide.

Rank Still Rules Seat Allotment

Lowering the cut-off only opens the door. Rank and choice preference still decide who gets what seat. A candidate with a strong score will always be ahead in the queue, regardless of a broad eligibility sweep. Merit has not been discarded — it's just that more participants can now enter the merit list.

Strategic Planning Matters More Than Ever

With more aspirants in counselling, students must be smarter about:

Choosing realistic colleges and specialisations
Understanding All India Quota (AIQ) vs State Quota
Watching updated seat matrix changes
Acting fast during choice-filling and lock deadlines

Poor strategy now can cost a seat — even if you are eligible.

The Bigger Picture: Vacancies and Healthcare Impact

More than 18,000 vacant PG seats isn't just a number — it reflects deeper systemic issues in India's medical education ecosystem. These vacancies arise from:

Students opting out due to high fees in private colleges
Preference for top branches (Radiology, Medicine, Surgery)
Geographic and infrastructure hesitations
Misalignment between aspirant expectations and available options

Healthcare Impact
If seats continue to stay vacant, it means fewer trained specialists entering hospitals each year — at a time when India's healthcare demands are growing.

SREC's Take: What Aspirants Should Do Now

At SREC, we advise students and parents to treat this development as opportunity with caution:

Do not panic over the term "zero cut-off." It means eligibility, not guaranteed admission.
Focus on rank-wise counselling windows. Even within a relaxed cut-off scheme, better ranks get first choices.
Use updated seat matrix data. MCC has been revising seats for Round 3 — use it to your advantage.
Consider allied or DNB paths. For many students, these branches may lead to equally rewarding careers when combined with smart planning.

Final Words

The NEET PG 2025 cut-off shock has changed the game. Vacant seats forced policy change, eligibility expanded, and counselling dynamics have become more strategic and complex. For aspirants, success now depends as much on choice strategy and adaptability as on NEET scores.

At SREC, our goal is to help you turn this into an advantage, not confusion. Whether you aim for high-demand branches or are exploring multiple paths, understanding how the lowered cut-off and vacant seats impact counselling will make you wiser, sharper, and more prepared for a rewarding medical career.

Note: The NEET PG 2025 cut-off reduction is a developing situation. For the most current information and personalized guidance based on your specific rank and category, consult with SREC experts immediately.