A doctor from Chennai has garnered attention after being granted a postgraduate medical seat with a mere 9 out of 800 marks in the NEET PG examination, recognized as one of India’s most challenging assessments for specialist medical training. This allocation occurred under the management quota during counseling, prompting significant backlash from medical professionals and associations. Critics argue that permitting such low scores threatens the standards of medical education in the country.
Contrasting Performance in NEET UG
The incident sharply contrasts with the recent NEET UG 2025 results, where candidates required approximately 144 marks out of 720 just to qualify for counseling. The highest scorer achieved an impressive 686 marks, indicating intense competition and diligent preparation among aspirants. In the last few years, qualifying marks for NEET PG have fluctuated dramatically, with cutoffs ranging from as high as 291 marks in 2023 to thresholds as low as zero to accommodate vacant seats. The latest NEET PG counseling cycle revealed that the SCSTOBC qualifying cutoff was initially set around the 40th percentile, approximately equating to 235 marks, but was later significantly revised down to allow candidates with scores as low as 40 to enter reserved categories. For the general category, candidates typically required around 276 marks, yet during mopup rounds, seats were filled by candidates scoring as little as 14 marks.
Exam Structure and Preparation Discrepancies
This stark disparity between the high NEET UG achievements and the low NEET PG scores raises critical questions about the educational framework. Experts in medical counseling suggest that the divergence stems partly from the differing nature of the two examinations and the realities of medical training. According to Gaurav Tyagi, a medical counselor, NEET UG predominantly assesses rote memorization, while the MBBS program demands extensive clinical exposure and rigorous study, leading to potential burnout. Many students become preoccupied with passing university examinations rather than developing a comprehensive foundation of medical knowledge necessary for success in the postgraduate assessments.
Influence of Management Quotas and Student Mentality
Moreover, the existence of management quota seats influences student motivation. Many perceive these as a fallback option, thereby diminishing the urgency to perform exceptionally in the NEET PG. Tyagi also noted a disconnect between the curriculum of the MBBS program and the NEET PG examination’s expectations. The MBBS syllabus focuses on practical clinical experience, whereas NEET PG leans heavily on theoretical knowledge, which can lead to confusion among students whose skills are better suited to hands-on training.
Underlying Factors Behind Numerous Empty PG Seats
The challenges within postgraduate medical education in India are compounded by several factors. One primary reason for the declining PG cutoffs is that numerous postgraduate seats remain unfilled each year. Authorities routinely lower eligibility scores to ensure that seats, particularly in less sought-after fields and private institutions, do not remain vacant. Despite the growing number of MBBS graduates, the availability of desirable postgraduate training positions is limited, contributing to this problem.
Shifting Priorities During Medical Training
Students often prioritize immediate academic responsibilities over consistent NEET PG exam preparation, resulting in significant knowledge gaps by the time they approach the postgraduate examination. Furthermore, the high financial burden of private medical college fees can deter many students from pursuing routes within their reach even if they achieve higher marks, thereby widening the disparity in admissions as authorities are compelled to reduce cutoffs. Shifts in focus between undergraduate and postgraduate examinations suggest a need for a fundamental reevaluation of assessment methods within medical education.
The Broader Implications for Medical Education
The significant differences in performance between NEET UG and NEET PG underline essential concerns about the broader medical education system in India. Issues surrounding examination design, training priorities, and the true definition of merit have arisen prominently. As medical associations call for a reassessment of lowered cutoff standards, the implications extend beyond academia, impacting the future reliability of healthcare delivery across the nation.
