In a significant move, authorities have lowered the qualifying percentile for the third round of NEET PG 2025–26 counselling to address the greater number of vacant postgraduate medical seats across the country.
After the completion of earlier counselling rounds, many MD/MS and diploma seats remained vacant. To avert the wastage of medical training capacity and ensure excellent utilisation of seats, the qualifying percentile has been strikingly lowered across categories, allowing a greater pool of candidates to participate in Round 3.
This decision provides renewed hope to candidates who could not qualify earlier, while keeping the merit order intact, as NEET PG ranks remain unchanged. Only eligibility has been widened to allow more aspirants to enter the counselling process.
The step has sparked mixed reactions—some view it as a practical solution to seat vacancies, while others raise issues about maintaining academic standards. Nonetheless, it highlights the authorities’ emphasis on strengthening the healthcare workforce by ensuring that valuable postgraduate seats do not go unfilled.
Candidates are advised to closely monitor official counselling notifications, complete fresh registration if needed, and carefully fill their choices during Round 3 counselling.
Overall, the reduction in qualifying percentile marks a policy shift emphasising seat utilisation and opportunity, making NEET PG 2025–26 counselling one of the most inclusive in recent years.
NEET PG 2025–26: Qualifying Percentile Reduced for Round 3 Counselling
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