Uproar over 0 percentile in NEET PG: Will candidates with negative scores also qualify?

In the results released by NBEMS, 263,535 candidates qualified this time. Among the examinees, 258 candidates secured scores of zero or lower; the lowest recorded score was -59.

The NEET PG results were released recently, sparking a fresh debate regarding the qualifying percentile. Specifically, 263,535 candidates qualified according to the NBEMS results. However, 258 candidates scored zero or less, with the lowest score recorded at -59 (corresponding to a zero percentile). This has raised questions about whether candidates with a zero percentile or negative scores might once again be permitted to participate in counseling, as has happened in previous years.

The NEET PG qualifying percentile was first reduced to zero in 2023, following the COVID-19 pandemic. This change made candidates with very low or even negative scores eligible for the counseling process. Subsequently, a significant reduction in the cutoff was implemented for the 2025 exam as well. The qualifying percentile was lowered from 50 to 7 for General and EWS candidates, while for SC, ST, and OBC candidates, it was reduced from 40 to 0. For General-PwBD candidates, it was lowered from 45 to 5 percentile. Following these changes, reserved category candidates who had secured -40 marks were able to participate in the third round of counseling. The primary reason behind this reduction was the issue of vacant PG seats. NBEMS informed the court that over 18,000 postgraduate medical seats across the country remained vacant, prompting a revision of the qualifying criteria to fill them.

Matter Reaches the Supreme Court

A section of the medical community questioned the decision to lower the qualifying percentile. In February 2026, the Supreme Court heard a petition regarding this issue and sought responses from the government and NBEMS. Petitioners objected to the reduction in the cut-off, citing Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The UDFA also opposed the decision to set the percentile at zero, arguing that admitting candidates with very low or negative scores to postgraduate medical training could compromise the quality of medical education and, ultimately, patient safety.

Delhi High Court Also Refused to Intervene

A case challenging the zero-percentile decision had also reached the Delhi High Court in January 2026. The court declined to interfere with the decision to lower the qualifying criteria. Arguments regarding public health risks and a potential decline in medical standards were presented to the court, but it found no procedural irregularities that would warrant intervention in the ongoing counseling process. The NMC also stated that candidates with higher ranks are given priority during counseling.

How ​​Many PG Seats Are Available This Year?

According to the seat matrix released by the NMC, there are a total of 58,000 postgraduate medical seats in the country this year, up from 52,173 last year. Meanwhile, 2,73,096 candidates registered for the exam, and 2,65,980 actually appeared for it. The comprehensive seat data also includes 33,088 government, 21,892 private, and 8,197 university seats.