In a shocking fallout of the Centre's decision to drastically lower the NEET-PG cutoffs, candidates with abysmally low scores are being alloted postgraduate seats in government institutions.
In a stark example of this move, a candidate who scored merely one mark out of 800 in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate) gained entry to MS Orthopedics at Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad through Telangana's state quota counselling, according to a rpeort by TImes of India.
This enrolment, part of the Competent Authority Quota mop-up for the academic year 2025-26, has prompted concerns among medical professionals, who are deeming it an extraordinary decline in the standards of postgraduate medical education, the report said.
Records from Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, dated Feb. 9,indicate that 20 candidates with scores between one and 99 marks have been assigned postgraduate medical positions throughout Telangana. At least 12 of these admissions were granted in government medical colleges, including the state's top institutions, the rpeort added.
Abysmally Low Scores, But Seats In Top Colleges
A candidate got admission to MS Orthopaedics under the ST category with just one mark (rank 229,981). MS Orthopaedics ranks as one of the most sought-after surgical specialties in Indian medical education, typically attracting those who attain scores in the upper percentiles, according to serveral media reports.
Another candidate, who scored 12 marks, gained a spot in MD Forensic Medicine at Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, under the SC category. Additionally, a candidate with 24 marks gained admission to MD Pathology at the same institution.
Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, enrolled three candidates from this group: 59 marks for MD Radiodiagnosis, 74 marks for MD Pharmacology, and 91 marks for MS Orthopaedics. Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, accepted a candidate scoring 32 marks for MD Pathology under the ST category, the reports said.
The counselling statistics indicate admissions spanning a range of medical disciplines. Four aspirants in the lowest tier secured MS Orthopaedics seats with scores of 1, 60, and 91 marks. Candidates with 93 and 99 marks received MS General Surgery placements. The MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology seats were awarded to individuals with 91 and 94 marks.
A candidate with 80 marks obtained a MD Paediatrics seat at Apollo Medical College, Hyderabad. MD Respiratory Medicine at Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences was assigned to an applicant who got 43 marks.
Top courses with double-digit score
MD Pathology, essential for diagnostics, was allocated to candidates who scored as low as 24 and 32 marks at government medical institutions. MS Oto-Rhino-Laryngology seats went to candidates with scores of 65 and 84 marks. MD Anaesthesia was given to individuals with 55 and 90 marks.
Among the 20 lowest performers in the state counselling, 12 attained seats in government institutions. These include Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, which saw six placements, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, with three, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, claiming one, and Government Medical College, Siddipet, securing another, several reports noted.
These admissions fall under the Competent Authority Quota, specifically tailored for the In-Service Category, functioning as an independent admission route alongside the centrally managed All India quota. This quota caters to in-service medical practitioners pursuing postgraduate degrees.
The mop-up phase, conducted following the standard counselling sessions, is intended to fill any leftover vacant spots. Nevertheless, the apparent decline in standards suggests academic performance is not a parameter for postgraduate medical education in the country.
State Quota Lower Than All-India Quota
Data from Telangana points to a larger trend. For the third round of All India quota counselling, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences published a notice on January 13, lowering the minimum qualifying percentiles to previously unheard-of levels.
The cut-off dropped from the 40th percentile to the 0th percentile for SC/ST/OBC applicants, including those with qualifying disabilities. This meant that candidates with lower scores were eligible for postgraduate medical seats.
Admissions are made under the Competent Authority Quota, most especially the In-Service Category, which runs concurrently with the centrally administered All India Quota. The quota was created for in-service medical personnel pursuing postgraduate degrees.
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