SC asks Centre to review NEET-SS cut-off decision

The Supreme Court asked the Union government to reconsider its decision not to reduce the cut-off percentile for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Super-specialty (NEET-SS) seats for the current year. While expressing concern about a large number of seats going unfilled annually, a bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhye noted that vacant seats make a compelling case for reduction. The Centre expressed willingness to conduct a 'stray round' for vacant NEET-SS seats, but had decided not to lower the qualifying percentile. The bench was hearing a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association.

Key Points

  • The Supreme Court directed the Centre to reconsider lowering the NEET-SS cut-off percentile to prevent seats from remaining vacant.
  • The Centre showed willingness to conduct a stray round for filling vacant super-specialty medical seats.
  • The petition was filed by the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association citing 40 vacant seats in the State and 152 diverted seats.
  • The court emphasized the need to ensure optimum utilization of medical education infrastructure and resources.

Exam Facts

  • NEET-SS is conducted annually by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) for admission to DM and M.Ch. super-specialty medical courses.
  • The bench handling the case comprised Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhye.
  • The petition highlighted 152 vacant super-specialty seats earmarked for in-service government doctors in Tamil Nadu.

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All current affairs of 11 September 2026