The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced a reduction in the qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2024. NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate) is the entrance exam required for admission into postgraduate medical courses in India. This decision makes it easier for more students to qualify for the counselling process.
Previous and New Cut-Off Percentiles
Before the change, students had to score high to qualify for NEET PG counselling. However, the government has lowered the qualifying percentile across all categories.
| Category | Old Cut-Off Percentile | New Cut-Off Percentile (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) / EWS | 50th Percentile | 15th Percentile |
| PwD (Persons with Disabilities) | 45th Percentile | 10th Percentile |
| SC, ST, OBC (including PwD) | 40th Percentile | 10th Percentile |
Why Was the Cut-Off Lowered?
MCC said that this decision was made after discussions with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the National Medical Commission (NMC). The goal is to help fill more seats in medical colleges by allowing more students to qualify for counselling.
A statement from MCC said:
“As per the decision taken by the MoHFW in consultation with NMC, the percentile for NEET PG counselling 2024 has been lowered.”
Impact of the Change
- More Students Eligible – Lowering the cut-off means more students from all categories will now be able to apply for counselling.
- Increased Access – This helps students from reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC) and those with disabilities (PwD) to access higher education opportunities more easily.
Comparison with Previous Years
This is not the first time MCC has lowered the cut-off. In recent years, similar changes have been made:
| Year | General Cut-Off | PwD Cut-Off | SC/ST/OBC Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15th Percentile | 10th Percentile | 10th Percentile |
| 2023 | 0 Percentile | 0 Percentile | 0 Percentile |
| 2022 | 35th Percentile | 20th Percentile | 20th Percentile |
In 2023, the qualifying percentile was reduced to zero for all categories, allowing every candidate to participate in counselling. In 2022, the cut-off for general students was reduced from 50% to 35%, and for SC, ST, and OBC students, it dropped to 20%.
What Does This Mean for Students?
For students, this change means:
- Better Chances – Even if they didn’t score very high, they can still apply for postgraduate medical courses.
- Reduced Pressure – Students won’t need to score in the top 50% to qualify for counselling, reducing stress and increasing opportunities.
Conclusion
The lowering of the NEET PG 2024 cut-off is a positive step towards making medical education more accessible. With more students qualifying for counselling, the competition for postgraduate medical seats will become fairer and more inclusive.
