Doctors have to deal with life, merit cannot be disregarded: SC denies NEET SS 2021 Cutoff Reduction

New Delhi: Observing that the question of reducing cutoff percentile is an academic policy matter, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking reduction in NEET-SS Cutoff Percentile and thereby disregard merit.

Such a decision was taken by the top court bench comprising of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant as it took note of the fact that even though there were enough candidates for filling up the vacant seats, the authorities decided not to lower the percentile as it did not compromise the merit.

"Sufficiently candidates were available for undertaking the counseling of vacant seats and the decision not to reduce the percentile is based on not compromising the merit. Doctors have to deal with life and merit cannot be disregarded. Question is to whether the percentile should be reduced further is a matter of academic policy. Reasons by the Ministry cannot be regarded as extraneous and arbitrary. In the circumstances it is not possible for this court to entertain the request for directing reduction in the percentile. If considered decision is taken to not lower standards to lower the percentile such a decision cannot be faltered," noted the bench as it dismissed the plea.

Doctors have been demanding a reduction in the cutoff percentile of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Super Specialty Examination in order to fill up the seats that remained vacant after the completion of the counselling process. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that referring to hundreds of vacant seats in the Super Speciality courses, the doctors under the umbrella of Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) had written to the Union Health Ministry.

In that letter, the doctors pointed out that with the current cutoff mark of 50th percentile, a lot of doctors would be unable to qualify the cutoff percentile and this would result in a huge vacancy. They referred to the fact that because of the decision of not lowering the percentile, around 700 seats remained vacant in 2020. FAIMA also pointed out that this year, if the cutoff does not gets reduced, there will be around 890 vacant super specialty seats.

Also Read: NMC specifies Last Date for NEET PG, SS Counselling, directs Medical colleges to submit admissions info

When the matter reached the Supreme Court, the counsel for the petitioners, Senior Advocate PS Patwalia pointed out before the bench that for the academic year 2021-22, around 940 seats were vacant. Urging the bench to lower the percentile, the counsel for the petitioners submitted that if the cutoff remained the same, there would be a national waste of resources.

Taking note of the submissions of both the parties, the bench decided not to interfere in the petition and the bench was quoted observing by Live Law, "Sufficiently candidates were available for undertaking the counseling of vacant seats and the decision not to reduce the percentile is based on not compromising the merit. Doctors have to deal with life and merit cannot be disregarded. Question is to whether the percentile should be reduced further is a matter of academic policy. Reasons by the Ministry cannot be regarded as extraneous and arbitrary. In the circumstances it is not possible for this court to entertain the request for directing reduction in the percentile. If considered decision is taken to not lower standards to lower the percentile such a decision cannot be faltered."

Also Read: Around 889 seats Vacant: Doctors urge Health Minister to lower NEET SS cutoff percentile