NEET PG 2023: 263,535 Candidates Qualify Amid Controversy Over Zero Percentile

NEET PG Results Overview

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced that 263,535 candidates have successfully qualified this year. However, among those who took the exam, 258 candidates received scores of zero or less, with the lowest score recorded at -59.

Debate on Qualifying Percentile

The recent NEET PG results have reignited discussions about the qualifying percentile. While 263,535 candidates passed, the presence of 258 candidates with zero or negative scores raises concerns about their eligibility for counseling, similar to previous years.

In 2023, the qualifying percentile was adjusted to zero due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing candidates with low or negative scores to enter the counseling process. This trend continued with a significant reduction in the cutoff for the 2025 exam, where the qualifying percentile was decreased from 50 to 7 for General and EWS candidates, and from 40 to 0 for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. For General-PwBD candidates, it was lowered from 45 to 5. This adjustment was primarily aimed at addressing the issue of vacant postgraduate seats, with over 18,000 seats remaining unfilled across the country.

Legal Challenges and Court Hearings

Supreme Court Involvement

The decision to lower the qualifying percentile has faced scrutiny from the medical community. In February 2026, the Supreme Court reviewed a petition on this matter, requesting feedback from the government and NBEMS. Petitioners raised concerns about the constitutionality of the cutoff reduction, citing Articles 14 and 21. The UDFA also expressed opposition, warning that admitting candidates with low or negative scores could jeopardize the quality of medical education and patient safety.

Delhi High Court's Stance

In January 2026, a case contesting the zero-percentile decision was brought before the Delhi High Court. The court chose not to intervene, despite arguments regarding public health risks and potential declines in medical standards. The court found no procedural issues that warranted interference in the ongoing counseling process, and the NMC confirmed that candidates with higher ranks would be prioritized.

Postgraduate Medical Seats Available

The NMC's seat matrix indicates that there are 58,000 postgraduate medical seats available this year, an increase from 52,173 last year. Out of 273,096 registered candidates, 265,980 participated in the examination. The detailed seat distribution includes 33,088 government seats, 21,892 private seats, and 8,197 university seats.