Supreme Court on NEET-SS cut-off

Notes

• The Supreme Court has directed the Union government to reconsider its decision regarding the non-reduction of the NEET-SS (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Super-specialty) qualifying percentile for the current academic year.
• The judicial intervention stems from concerns regarding a significant number of super-specialty medical seats remaining vacant annually across the country.
• The Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association filed a petition challenging the diversion of 152 vacant super-specialty seats, originally earmarked for in-service government doctors, to the all-India quota.
• The petitioner argues that many eligible in-service government doctors, particularly those serving in rural areas, are awaiting a reduction in the qualifying percentile to fill these seats.
• The Centre has expressed willingness to conduct a 'stray round' for vacant seats but initially resisted lowering the qualifying percentile, noting that experts hold varying views on the matter.
• The government acknowledged that in previous years, the qualifying percentile had been reduced, in some instances to 0%.
• The Supreme Court observed that the persistent vacancy of 'precious' super-specialty seats provides a compelling argument for the reduction of the qualifying percentile.