The Telangana Senior Resident Doctors Association (T-SRDA) has opposed the decision to reduce the cut-off percentile of NEET-PG 2025-26 to zero, warning that the move threatens the quality of medical education and patient safety.
In a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, the association expressed concern over the notification issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on January 13, according to which candidates scoring up to minus 40 marks are eligible for postgraduate medical admissions.
“The unprecedented cut-off undermines the credibility and purpose of the test. Allowing candidates with negative marks to qualify for postgraduate training cannot be justified by any academic or ethical standards and risks reducing the quality of future specialists,” they said.
The T-SRDA warned that the move creates an impression that merit-based national competitive examinations could soon become redundant, with admissions being granted irrespective of rank or aptitude. The doctors’ body urged the Union government to immediately withdraw the notification and restore a reasonable merit-based cut-off.
The association has warned that unless remedial measures are taken immediately, it will be forced to launch nationwide protests in consultation with local doctors and medical associations across the country.
Published – 14 Jan 2026 23:19 IST
