Following directions from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has officially revised the qualifying cut-off scores for NEET-PG 2025. Aim of the decision notified on 13 January 2026 is
to expand the pool of eligible candidates for Round 3 counselling of the NEET-PG 2025–26 academic session.
This move is expected to significantly influence PG medical admissions across the country, particularly for candidates who were earlier declared non-qualified.
Background: Why the Cut-Off Was Revised
The NEET-PG 2025 result was declared on 19 August 2025, with qualifying percentiles set in accordance with the information bulletin. However, owing to vacant seats after earlier
counselling rounds, the Government of India instructed NBEMS to lower the qualifying percentiles to enable broader participation in the counselling process.
Accordingly, NBEMS implemented revised qualifying criteria strictly for counselling eligibility, without changing candidates’ ranks or score normalization.
Revised NEET-PG 2025 Qualifying Criteria
As per the official notice, the revised cut-offs (out of 800 marks) are as follows:
| General / EWS | General PwBD | SC / ST / OBC (including PwBD) |
|
| Earlier: 40th percentile (235 marks) |
|
|
|
This reduction represents one of the lowest qualifying thresholds in NEET-PG history, especially for reserved categories.
What Has Not Changed
It is important for candidates to clearly understand that:
- NEET-PG 2025 ranks remain unaffected
- There is no re-evaluation or re-ranking
- The cut-off reduction applies merely for counselling eligibility, not for merit position
The ranks published earlier by NBEMS continue to remain valid and final.
Implications for Counselling
The revised cut-off enables a large number of previously ineligible candidates to participate in Round 3 of NEET-PG counselling, conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
Key implications include:
- Increased competition in Round 3 counselling
- Higher chances of seat allotment in:
- Non-clinical branches
- Diploma courses
Colleges with historically higher vacancy rates
Better utilization of available PG medical seats nationwide (MD/MS/PG Diploma and Post MBBS DNB Courses, Direct 6 Year DrNB Courses & NBEMS Diploma Courses)
Candidates are advised to regularly check the official MCC counselling portal for updated schedules, seat matrices, and choice-filling instructions.
Verification and Candidature Conditions
NBEMS has reiterated that candidature remains purely provisional, subject to:
- Verification of MBBS / FMGE aggregate marks
- Authentication of documents at the time of admission
- Face ID and biometric verification wherever applicable
- Any discrepancy in information offered in the NEET-PG application form—especially if used for tie-breaking—may lead to cancellation of candidature, even after counselling.
- Additionally, use of unfair means at any stage will invite strict penal action, including Cancellation of results.
How Can Bodmas Education Help?
With the revised NEET-PG 2025 cut-off expanding eligibility for Round 3 counselling, expert guidance becomes vital to make informed and realistic choices. Bodmas Education offers
structured, transparent, and data-driven counselling support to help candidates navigate this phase effectively.
Bodmas can support NEET-PG aspirants through:
Data-backed eligibility and option analysis, considering rank, score, budget, category, previous year cut-offs, and vacancy trends
Round 3–specific counselling strategies, focusing on realistic opportunities in non-clinical branches, diploma courses, DNB programmes, and colleges with historically higher vacancy rates
Personalised choice-filling guidance, balancing aspirational preferences with attainable outcomes to minimise the risk of non-allotment
Parent-friendly counselling, with clear explanations of fee structures, seat matrices, bond obligations, and institutional credibility
End-to-end MCC counselling support, including documentation checks, process guidance, eligibility verification, and admission-stage formalities
Ethical and transparent advisory, with no false promises or guarantees of admission For candidates who have become newly eligible owing to the cut-off reduction, Bodmas
Education will act as a decision-support partner, helping them convert this extended opportunity into a well-informed and secure PG medical admission outcome.
Conclusion
The reduction in NEET-PG 2025 qualifying cut-off marks is a relief measure meant to ensure optimal seat utilization and give deserving candidates yet another opportunity in the admission
process. While it does not alter merit ranks, it opens the counselling door for thousands of aspirants who missed qualification earlier.
Candidates should approach Round 3 counselling with realistic expectations, careful choice filling, and proper documentation, keeping a watch on official updates from NBEMS and MCC.
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