Delhi High Court Seeks Response on NEET-PG Cut-off Reduction

Delhi High Court Takes Action on Plea Challenging NEET-PG 2023 Cut-off Reduction

The Delhi High Court has initiated action on a plea challenging the reduction of the qualifying percentile to zero for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2023 counselling. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav has asked the Centre, the National Board of Examination (NBE), and the Medical Counselling Committee to respond to the petition filed by three doctors who participated in the NEET-PG 2023 examination.

Challenging the Cut-off Reduction

The three MBBS doctors have contested a September 20 order issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which informed candidates about the reduction of the qualifying percentile for PG courses in NEET-PG 2023. The order lowered the qualifying percentile to zero across all categories, equivalent to a deduction of 40 marks.

The petitioners argue that the government’s order is erroneous, legally flawed, unsustainable, and should be set aside. They assert that reducing the eligibility criteria to zero percentile undermines the purpose of conducting the NEET-PG exam. Moreover, it questions the integrity of a ‘National Eligibility cum Entrance test’ when eligibility standards are diluted.

The plea also suggests that prioritizing seat filling at the expense of established standards could have detrimental consequences.

Supreme Court’s Earlier Response

Notably, the Supreme Court had earlier declined to entertain a petition opposing the reduction of the cut-off qualifying percentile to zero for counselling.

A notice from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate of Health Services, Government of India, had already informed candidates about the reduction in the qualifying percentile to ‘zero’ for PG Courses (Medical/Dental) for NEET PG counselling 2023 across all categories, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s directive.

This development has sparked significant debate about the implications of such reductions on medical admissions and the integrity of the examination process.