NEET PG 2024 cut-off reduction approved, notification soon: Centre tells Delhi HC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has ordered a reduction in the cut-off percentile for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2024 counselling. The decision comes in the wake of a petition filed by medical students seeking a relaxation in the existing cut-off.

During the court proceedings, the Union of India informed the court that the competent authority has approved the cut-off reduction, with specific numbers pending announcement. They are likely to be notified soon.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will launch round 3 counselling once the revised cut-offs are set. Meanwhile, it also extended the All India round 2 resignation deadline to January 8, 2025, 6 PM, accommodating states such as Telangana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, whose round 2 results are still pending.

“The Resignation for Round-1 & Round-2 seats with forfeiture of security deposit for PG Counselling 2024 is being extended up to 06:00 P.M of 8th January 2025,” the earlier official notice read.

NEET PG Counselling 2024: Process of cut-off reduction

Implementation will follow a clear chain. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will direct the National Medical Commission (NMC) to apply the lowered cut-offs, and a copy will be sent to the National Board of Examinations (NBE), which will announce the revised figures.

A revised schedule for All India and State counselling will be issued, including changes to the round 3 schedule. The MCC will also notify the revised counselling schedule for round 3 and start fresh registrations for candidates eligible under the new cut-off.

Updates expected after court order

Even though the All India NEET PG counselling 2024 has been delayed, several states, like Uttar Pradesh and Goa, have already released their schedules. These states are anticipated to adjust their resignation deadlines and state counselling schedules in accordance with the amended All India counselling timetable.

"We expect that all these states will modify their state r2 resignation deadlines and state schedules as per the revised AI vs State Schedule (both AI timelines and state timelines modification will be notified). Once you have the revised schedules published by NMC or in the MCC portal - the changes will be communicated by these states. In any case, if there is a process now in any of these states - please go ahead," said Brijesh Sutaria, a medical education activist.

Earlier, the Indian Medical Association-Junior Doctors Network (IMA-JDN) wrote to health minister JP Nadda mentioning that despite efforts by the NBE, many PG seats remain unfilled. IMA-JDN has urged the government to lower the NEET PG 2024 cut-off marks, allowing more candidates to fill vacant seats and improve India's healthcare system.

Last year, the NEET PG cut-off for PG medical admissions was revised to 0 percentile by the health ministry. The government's decision to lower the NEET PG cutoff to zero was “denounced” by a number of physicians, medical societies, and medical students.