The move expands eligibility across categories. According to officials, the decision intends to improve seat utilisation, but without changing the structure of the counselling process or the merit-based framework that is usually used for admissions.
This decision comes amid concerns that thousands of specialist training seats were being left unused despite a shortage of doctors in several disciplines.
What has changed
Under the revised criteria, the qualifying percentile for general and EWS candidates has been lowered from the 50th percentile to the 7th percentile.
For persons with benchmark disability (PwBD) in the general category, the percentile has been reduced from 45 to 5.
For SC, ST, and OBC candidates, the qualifying percentile has been brought down from 40 to zero. The corresponding cut-off score has been fixed at -40 out of 800, reflecting the impact of negative marking.
Why the government moved now
Officials said the primary concern was seat wastage PG medical seats that remain empty cannot be rolled forward. Once the admission cycle closes, the opportunity is lost - both for the candidate and for the healthcare system.
The revised cut-offs are meant to prevent that outcome while keeping the rest of the system unchanged.
Authorities stressed that:
Admissions will continue only through authorised counselling.
There will be no direct, offline, or discretionary allotments.
Inter-se merit and candidate choice will continue to determine seat allocation.
Industry and institutional response
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had formally requested the cut-off revision and welcomed the decision.
According to ANI reports, the IMA appreciated the Centre for approving the change, calling it necessary in the interest of medical education and public health.
No timeline has been announced for additional counselling rounds yet. That decision rests with the Medical Counselling Committee and state authorities.
