NEET PG 2026 Cut off Row: Supreme Court’s NBEMS Report Order Brings a New Twist to Counselling

NEET PG 2025-26 Cut-off Row: Supreme Court Seeks NBEMS Report on Sharp Reduction

New Delhi : The NEET PG 2025-26 cut-off controversy has returned to the Supreme Court, with the court asking NBEMS to explain why it took substantially lower qualifying thresholds. On the October 6, 2026, hearing, the Supreme Court asked NBEMS to report on the reasoning for revised qualifying cut-offs. The Board has two weeks to explain itself.

The hearing included Justice P. S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe, who were listed for proceedings on October 6. This matters because the revised criteria allowed thousands of more candidates to join postgraduate medical counselling, including some who had negative scores in certain categories.

What Are the Revised NEET PG 2025 Cut-offs?

NBEMS had reduced the passing percentile for the third round of NEET PG 2025-26 counselling following Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directions. The official NBEMS notice dated January 13, 2026, outlines the original and revised thresholds. National Board of Exams

In percentile terms, the General/EWS qualifying requirement was 50 to 7, whereas the SC/ST/OBC was 40 to 0. National Board of Exams The change of minus 40 marks for the SC/ST/OBC category has been one of the central points of concern surrounding the case.

Why Has the Supreme Court Asked for an NBEMS Report?

The court is looking into the challenge of a decision to lower the qualifying thresholds so greatly. According to reports on the October 6 hearing, the petition challenges the revised criteria and questions the basis for allowing candidates with very low or negative scores to join postgraduate counselling.

The Supreme Court has asked NBEMS to explain how and why the reduction was made. This does not mean the Supreme Court has cancelled the revised cut-offs. It is asking the examination authority to provide its explanation before proceeding.

Has the Supreme Court Stopped NEET PG Admissions?

No interim stay has been issued at this point. The court rejected a request to pass an order stopping admissions where candidates had become eligible under the revised cut-offs. The matter is expected to be revisited after NBEMS has submitted its report.

Therefore, candidates should not assume that the revised qualifying criteria have been struck down.

Why Does the Cut-off Matter for NEET PG Aspirants?

The qualifying cut-off determines who qualifies for the subsequent counselling process. A large reduction can significantly increase eligibility for counselling. This, in turn, can impact competition for postgraduate seats, especially for later counselling rounds where the vacant seats are filled.

In the event that candidates eligible because of the revised threshold are involved, the court proceedings could have a direct bearing on their counselling prospects.

What Happens Next in the NEET PG Cut-off Case?

The immediate next step is the NBEMS report. The Supreme Court has asked the Board to explain the rationale behind the reduction and has given it two weeks. After the report has been submitted, the court is likely to reconsider the matter. Until then, candidates should differentiate between what has been ordered and what is speculation.

There has been no final Supreme Court ruling restoring the original cut-offs as of the October 6 hearing. For NEET PG aspirants, the safest option is to follow official communications from the Supreme Court, NBEMS and Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) rather than relying on social-media analysis of the case.

NEET PG 2025-26 Cut-off Case: What Aspirants Should Know

The controversy is about more than a number on a scorecard. It is about how qualifying standards are changed, what the rationale for such changes is and how these decisions affect postgraduate medical admissions.

For now, the position is clear: the revised cut-offs are under judicial scrutiny, NBEMS must explain its decision, and the Supreme Court will further consider the matter.

FAQs

Q1. What is the revised NEET PG 2025 General/EWS cut-off?

The revised qualifying cut-off for General/EWS candidates is 103 marks, down from the original 276 marks.

Q2. What is the revised NEET PG cut-off for SC/ST/OBC candidates?

The revised qualifying cut-off for SC/ST/OBC candidates, including PwBD candidates in these categories, is minus 40 marks.

Q3. What did the Supreme Court ask NBEMS to do?

The Supreme Court asked NBEMS to submit a report explaining the rationale for a substantially reduced NEET PG qualifying cut-offs. The Board has been given two weeks.

Q4. Did the Supreme Court cancel the revised NEET PG cut-off?

No. The court has not cancelled the revised cut-offs at this point. It has asked NBEMS for an explanation and is expected to consider the matter further.

Q5. Did the Supreme Court stop admissions under the revised cut-off?

No interim stay was granted on admissions during the October 6 hearing.

Q6. When was the NBEMS cut-off reduction notice issued?

NBEMS issued its official notice on January 13, 2026, revising the qualifying cut-offs for NEET PG 2025 as the qualifying percentiles were reduced.

Q7. When was the latest Supreme Court hearing?

The latest development covered here was on October 6, 2026. The Supreme Court's official index lists Justice P. S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe in Court No. 5 on that day.

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