New Delhi: In a significant development for thousands of medical students, the qualifying cut-off for NEET-PG 2025 counselling has been drastically reduced for the third round. Following a directive from the central government, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) announced the move, which will allow a large number of previously ineligible candidates to participate in the counselling process.
According to an official notice released by NBEMS, the decision was implemented based on instructions from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) dated January 9, 2026. The board has clarified that this revision only pertains to eligibility for counselling and will not alter the original merit list or ranks of the NEET-PG 2025 examination.
Revised Cut-off Percentiles and Scores
The updated qualifying criteria for the academic session 2025-26 aim to fill post-graduate seats that have remained vacant after the initial rounds of counselling. The changes are applicable across all categories.
For the General / EWS category, the qualifying percentile has been lowered from the 50th percentile (276 marks) to the 7th percentile (103 marks).
Candidates in the General PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) category will now need to be at the 5th percentile (90 marks), a sharp drop from the previous requirement of the 45th percentile (255 marks).
The most substantial change is for the SC / ST / OBC categories (including PwBD candidates), where the cut-off has been reduced from the 40th percentile (235 marks) to zero percentile (–40 marks). This effectively makes all candidates in these categories who appeared for the exam eligible for the third counselling round.
Rank Remains Unchanged, Eligibility Expanded
NBEMS has explicitly stated that the original rank list for NEET-PG 2025, which was declared on August 19, 2025, will remain unaffected. The reduction in the cut-off is not an amendment to the results but an expansion of the eligibility pool to ensure maximum seat allocation.
The board cautioned that eligibility is provisional. During counselling and admission, candidates will undergo thorough verification of their MBBS / FMGE aggregate marks, documents, and biometrics or Face ID. Any discrepancy or submission of false information will lead to the cancellation of their candidature.
Why Was the Decision Taken?
According to NBEMS, a significant number of PG medical seats often remain unoccupied even after two rounds of counselling. The Ministry’s directive to lower the cut-off is a strategic step to prevent this wastage and provide more opportunities for eligible doctors to pursue post-graduate studies.
Candidates are strongly advised to monitor the official website of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for all updates and to avoid relying on misinformation. The final admission will be contingent upon successful document verification by the concerned authorities.
