NEET-SS: Supreme Court seeks Centre's reply on lowering cut-off for in-service doctors

The Supreme Court on Monday (August 24, 2026) asked the Central Government to consider a plea by the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association seeking a reduction in the qualifying percentile for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Super Speciality (NEET-SS) for in-service government doctors.

A Bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha heard senior advocate P. Wilson, appearing for the association, on an application that sought the return of 100% of the unfilled in-service seats to the State. The Union Government had submitted that out of the 152 seats transferred by Tamil Nadu, approximately 40 seats remained vacant.

Mr. Wilson submitted that all 40 in-service seats must be returned to the State, as 111 candidates were awaiting a reduction in the qualifying percentile. He argued that these candidates had a legitimate expectation of being considered for admission in the in-service category, as per the consistent practice followed in previous academic sessions.

After hearing the submissions, the court turned to the Union Government to take a call on whether the qualifying percentile for Super Speciality admissions should be reduced. It posted the case for further hearing on August 31.

The association had earlier challenged the “premature diversion” of 152 vacant Super Speciality seats earmarked for in-service government doctors in Tamil Nadu to the All India Quota. It had also sought protection of the State’s in-service reservation policy, pending a final decision on the reduction of the NEET-SS qualifying percentile.

NEET-SS is the entrance examination for admission to super speciality medical courses such as cardiology, neurology, and gastroenterology. In-service candidates are government doctors who have served in public health facilities, often in rural and underserved areas. Many states, including Tamil Nadu, reserve a quota of super speciality seats for these doctors to encourage service in the public health system.

According to the petition, Tamil Nadu had earmarked 219 super speciality seats for in-service candidates for the academic year 2025-2026. After two rounds of counselling, only 68 candidates had joined, leaving 152 seats vacant. The association said over 111 in-service candidates remained on the waiting list and were anticipating a relaxation of the cut-off percentile, as done in earlier years.

“A substantial number of these candidates narrowly missed the existing qualifying percentile and would become eligible if the qualifying percentile is reduced/relaxed,” the association submitted. It further argued that diverting these seats to the All India Quota at this stage would defeat the purpose of the State’s reservation policy and deprive in-service doctors of their rightful opportunity.

The Supreme Court’s decision to seek the Centre’s response is significant because it may determine whether states can retain more flexibility in filling super speciality seats for in-service doctors, especially when national cut-offs leave many seats vacant. The case also highlights the ongoing tension between centralised admission norms and state-specific reservation policies in medical education.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on August 31, 2026, when the Centre is expected to clarify its position on the proposed reduction in the qualifying percentile.