Over 1500 Seats Vacant! Doctors Urge NBE to Lower NEET SS Cutoff

New Delhi: Pointing out that more than 1500 super-speciality seats are lying vacant even after two rounds of National Eligibility-Entrance Test Super Speciality (NEET-SS) 2024 Counselling, doctors have urged the authorities, including the National Board of Examinations (NBE), to lower the cut-off before the next round of counselling.

Even though the stray (3rd) round of NEET SS Counselling was scheduled to commence from 24th June, 2025, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has now rescheduled it. The revised schedule for the 3rd round of NEET-SS counselling is yet to be published. Amid this, the doctors are urging the authorities to lower the NEET-SS cutoff to fill up thousands of vacant DM/MCh/DrNB seats.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, a NEET-SS candidate from Gujarat said, "As per the history of the NEET-SS counselling 2022 and 2023 the cut-off was reduced below 50th percentile. So, our demand is to reduce the cut-off percentile and fill up the remaining vacancies in the DM/MCh and DrNB courses in all specialities."

He said that he has already raised the issue to the authorities via email. While appreciating NBE's decision to maintain rigorous academic standards to uphold the quality of medical education, he wrote in the mail, "...the existing high cutoff has inadvertently led to a large number of capable and qualified candidates being excluded from securing seats. At the same time, many super-speciality seats across various institutes remain vacant, resulting in underutilization of valuable training opportunities."

Also Read: NEET SS cutoff reduced from 50 to 20 percentile

"Lowering the cutoff—without compromising merit—would allow a broader pool of competent candidates to access advanced training. This would not only help in filling existing vacancies but also address the pressing shortage of super-specialists in our healthcare system, particularly in underserved and rural areas where such expertise is urgently needed," the candidate further mentioned in the mail, while urging NBE to review the current cutoff policy with a balanced perspective that aligns both academic standards and nation's healthcare needs.

Recently, the requests from the doctors to reduce the qualifying cut-off marks for NEET SS were raised by the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN). Writing to the Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, the association pointed out that a significant number of highly qualified and committed candidates are currently left without opportunities due to the high qualifying percentile in NEET SS 2025, despite numerous vacant super-speciality seats across institutes. 

"As of now, two rounds of NEET SS counselling have already been conducted, yet many seats remain unfilled," the association mentioned in the letter, while urging the Health Minister to reduce NEET-SS cut-off percentile, ensure optimal utilization of Super-Speciality seats, maintain quality in healthcare, and make sure clear and timely communication.

"We request a compassionate and rational reduction in the qualifying percentile, as has been considered in previous years. Many capable candidates narrowly miss the cut-off despite being fully competent and eager to pursue super-specialty training. Reducing the cut-off from the next round onwards will enable these deserving doctors to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare system," the association mentioned in the letter.

"Vacant super-specialty seats are a missed opportunity for both the aspirants and the healthcare system. A cut-off reduction would allow these positions to be filled by dedicated and well-trained doctors, enhancing specialist availability across India, particularly in underserved and rural areas," it added.

Also Read: Vacant NEET SS Seats: SC Tells Centre to decide in 3 Months Ensuring Smooth Admissions Next Year

The Association also mentioned that reducing the cut-off does not compromise the quality of healthcare as all candidates who qualify through the revised cut-off will still meet the minimum eligibility criteria set by the National Board of Examinations.

IMA-JDN also pointed out that these doctors undergo rigorous training in accredited institutes under experienced faculty, ensuring that the standards of patient care and clinical competence are upheld.

Opining that a formal update or directive from the Ministry, NMC or NBE regarding the percentile revision would provide clarity to the aspirants and reinforce trust in the transparency of the system, the association added that enabling the entry of these young doctors into the super-speciality programmes not only supports their aspirations but also aligns with the nation's goals of building a robust and inclusive healthcare system.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that back in 2023, taking note of more than 1000 super speciality seats lying vacant after the completion of two counselling rounds, the authorities had reduced the eligibility cut-off for NEET SS 2022 admissions from 50 percentile to 20 percentile. Therefore, the candidate who had scored 20 percentile and above in NEET SS 2022 were made eligible to participate in the "special mop-up round".

Again, last year, taking note of hundreds of vacant super-speciality seats, the NBEMS had announced the decision to lower the cut-off percentile for NEET-SS 2023 exam to zero across all categories. With this, all the candidates who completed their PG degrees and appeared in the NEET-SS 2023 exam were considered eligible to participate in further rounds of counselling to fill up the vacant super speciality seats.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had also taken note of the issue of vacant super speciality seats. While considering a batch of pleas filed by successful candidates who had abandoned NEET-SS courses, the Supreme Court took cognisance of the issue and directed the Central Government to hold a meeting with the stakeholders of all States/UTs and private medical colleges to fill up the vacancies for the upcoming academic year.

Also Read: NEET SS 2023 Counselling qualifying percentile Reduced to Zero