The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced another reduction to the qualifying percentile for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2024, lowering the minimum required percentile across all categories to just the fifth percentile. This decision has significant implications for countless aspiring medical professionals seeking admission to postgraduate programs.
According to the official notice released by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on January 25, 2025, this latest change follows previous notifications and directives from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under Government of India. The specific announcement stated, "in continuation of NBEMS notice dated 06.01.2025 and pursuant to the directions of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India […] the minimum qualifying percentile for NEET-PG 2024 have been reduced as follows." Consequently, the minimum qualifying percentile for candidates falls to 5th percentile for all categories including General, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes (SC/ST/OBC).
Previously, students belonging to the General and EWS categories needed to score above the 15th percentile to become eligible for counseling. Meanwhile, those under SC, ST, OBC, and PwD categories were required to achieve at least the 10th percentile for the NEET PG counseling process. This newly reduced threshold signals continued efforts by the MCC to make medical education more accessible.
Despite this adjustment to the qualifying score, the MCC clarified, "there is no change in the NEET-PG 2024 Rank and percentile score as published on August 23, 2024." This means students can still rely on previously published ranks, but can now mark themselves as eligible to participate with lower scores.
The cut-off for NEET PG has experienced significant reductions over the years. For example, back in 2022, the cut-off for general category candidates was lowered from the 50th percentile to 35th; similarly, the threshold for unreserved PwD candidates fell dramatically from the 45th to 20th percentile, and for SC, ST, and OBC students, it dropped from 40th percentiles to 20th. Such reductions suggest the government's consistent approach to fostering inclusivity within medical education.
After the policy of setting the qualifying percentile at zero across all categories last year, the latest move to the fifth percentile is viewed by many as part of an overarching strategy to balance educational opportunities for diverse populations as well as encourage more candidates to pursue careers in healthcare.
With these changes now issued, candidates are urged to visit the official NBEMS website, natboard.edu.in, to review the complete details and navigate their next steps following this significant update.
Overall, the MCC's continued adjustments reflect not only the challenges faced within the academic assessment frameworks but also the rapid evolution of educational policies aimed at reducing barriers to entry for aspiring medical practitioners.