The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the reduced qualifying cutoff percentiles for NEET PG admissions. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) announced the reduction on January 13. The case is scheduled for a hearing on February 6, 2025 .
Court Action on NEET PG Cutoffs
A PIL was filed with the Supreme Court challenging the NBEMS decision. This decision lowered the qualifying cutoff percentile for NEET PG admissions for the 2025-26 academic year. The petition argues the reduction is unconstitutional.
Key Arguments in the PIL
The PIL highlights that the reduced cutoffs include zero and negative percentiles. Petitioners claim this violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. They state it compromises patient safety and public health. The petition also argues it weakens the medical profession’s integrity.
Advocates Satyam Singh Rajput and Adarsh Singh assisted in filing the petition. AoR Neema filed the PIL. It argues the NBEMS decision aims to fill vacant seats. This practice, the PIL contends, abolishes merit. It reduces competitive exams to an administrative step.
Concerns Over Medical Standards
Medicine directly impacts human life and dignity. Petitioners argue weakening professional standards in this field is unacceptable. The PIL states lowering merit at the postgraduate level contradicts the NMC Act, 2019. This act sets standards for medical education.
Next Steps
The Supreme Court bench includes Justice Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe. They will hear the matter on February 6, 2025 . Further details will emerge after the court’s proceedings.