Table of Contents
- The Shocking New NEET-PG Cut-Off Explained
- Why Did the Government Lower the NEET-PG Cut-Off?
- How a Negative Score Is Even Possible
- Category-Wise Changes and the Zero Percentile Reality
- The Doctor Shortage Crisis Behind the Decision
- Criticism and Concerns About Lowering Standards
- What This Means for Aspiring Doctors
- Conclusion: Balancing Access and Quality
- Sources
In a move that has left the medical community stunned, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) has officially set the NEET-PG cut-off at a mind-bending **-40 out of 800** for the 2026 admission cycle . Yes, you read that right: *negative forty*. This drastic reduction isn’t a typo—it’s a desperate attempt to fill more than **9,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats** across India. With rural clinics understaffed and urban hospitals overwhelmed, the government is betting that relaxing entry barriers will help alleviate a worsening healthcare crisis. But at what cost? And how did we get here?
The Shocking New NEET-PG Cut-Off Explained
Historically, the NEET-PG—the gateway to MD/MS/Diploma courses in India—has maintained strict qualifying thresholds. For general category candidates, it was typically around the 50th percentile (roughly 280–300 marks). But with thousands of seats going waste year after year, authorities have taken radical action. The new cut-off means that even candidates who scored *below zero* due to negative marking can now qualify for counseling .
This isn’t just a minor adjustment; it’s a complete overhaul of the eligibility framework, driven by urgency rather than precedent.
Why Did the Government Lower the NEET-PG Cut-Off?
The decision stems from a formal request by the **Indian Medical Association (IMA)**, which warned that unfilled PG seats represent a massive waste of national training capacity at a time when India faces a severe doctor shortage . Key reasons include:
- Massive Vacancies: Over 9,000 PG seats remained empty in 2025 despite multiple rounds of counseling.
- Rural Healthcare Gap: Many vacant seats are in government colleges in remote areas, where specialists are desperately needed.
- Global Benchmarks: India has only 1.3 doctors per 1,000 people—far below the WHO-recommended 1:1,000 ratio .
By lowering the bar, the government hopes to incentivize more graduates to pursue postgraduate studies, especially in non-premium specialties like anesthesia, radiology, and community medicine.
How a Negative Score Is Even Possible
NEET-PG uses a scoring system where:
- Correct answer = +4 marks
- Incorrect answer = -1 mark
- Unanswered = 0 marks
A candidate who attempts many questions incorrectly without enough correct answers can end up with a negative total. Previously, such candidates were automatically disqualified. Now, under the new NEET-PG cut-off, even those with scores as low as -40 are eligible—meaning they could have gotten fewer than 150 questions right out of 800 possible points .
Category-Wise Changes and the Zero Percentile Reality
The revised cut-offs vary by reservation category—but all have been drastically reduced:
| Category | Previous Cut-Off (Approx.) | New Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th percentile (~290) | -40 marks |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th percentile (~250) | -40 marks |
In effect, the percentile requirement has been **eliminated** for all categories. Some candidates are now qualifying at the **0th percentile**—meaning they scored lower than every other test-taker, yet still get a seat . This has raised serious questions about merit and fairness.
The Doctor Shortage Crisis Behind the Decision
India’s healthcare system is under immense strain. While urban centers boast world-class hospitals, rural India suffers from a dire lack of specialists. According to the Ministry of Health, nearly **70% of specialist posts in district hospitals remain vacant** . Postgraduate doctors are essential to fill these roles, yet many MBBS graduates either opt for private practice, go abroad, or simply don’t qualify for PG entrance.
The government’s logic is pragmatic: better to have *some* trained specialists than none at all. As one health official stated anonymously, “A doctor with basic PG training is better than no doctor in a village hospital.”
Criticism and Concerns About Lowering Standards
Despite good intentions, the move has drawn sharp criticism:
- Quality vs. Quantity: Experts fear that admitting underprepared candidates could compromise patient care and devalue PG degrees.
- Moral Hazard: Why study hard if even negative scorers get seats? This may disincentivize excellence.
- Systemic Issues Ignored: The real problem isn’t just cut-offs—it’s poor infrastructure, low stipends, and lack of rural incentives in PG colleges.
Medical educators argue that instead of lowering standards, the focus should be on improving medical college quality and making rural postings more attractive.
What This Means for Aspiring Doctors
For MBBS graduates, this is a double-edged sword:
- Opportunity: Those who narrowly missed previous cut-offs now have a second chance.
- Risk: Increased competition in counseling—even low-scorers may snag seats in decent colleges.
- Strategy Shift: Candidates might now prioritize attempting more questions (even with guessing) to avoid extreme negatives.
Students should stay updated via the official NBE portal and consider backup options like DNB or state PG exams. For guidance on navigating this new landscape, see our resource on [INTERNAL_LINK:how-to-prepare-for-neet-pg-after-rule-changes].
Conclusion: Balancing Access and Quality
The NEET-PG cut-off crisis reflects a deeper tension in Indian healthcare: how to expand access without sacrificing quality. While filling 9,000 seats is a noble goal, the long-term impact on medical education and patient safety remains uncertain. The government must now pair this policy with robust support systems—better training, mentorship, and rural retention strategies—to ensure these newly admitted doctors become assets, not liabilities. One thing is clear: in the race to heal the nation, shortcuts can’t replace sustainable solutions.
Sources
- Times of India – NEET-PG cut-off score now fixed at -40 out of 800
- Indian Medical Association (IMA) Official Statement, January 2026
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Global Health Workforce Statistics
- National Board of Examinations (NBE) – NEET-PG 2026 Information Bulletin
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India – Rural Health Statistics 2025