Centre in SC reduces NEET-SS qualifying percentile to 30%; TN to get 40 vacant seats back
The Indian government has reduced the NEET-SS qualifying percentile from 50% to 30% to fill vacant super-speciality medical seats. Additionally, 40 in-service seats have been returned to Tamil Nadu to facilitate a state-level vacancy round.
Why it matters
This decision addresses the critical issue of vacant medical training seats, impacting the availability of super-specialist doctors in the healthcare system.
The Centre on Thursday (September 17, 2026) agreed to reduce the qualifying percentile for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Super Speciality (NEET-SS) seats from the existing 50% to 30%, even as it agreed to return 40 vacant in-service seats pertaining to Tamil Nadu to the State.
“The matter has since been reconsidered in consultation with the concerned stakeholders. In order to ensure that the available super speciality seats do not remain vacant and that the available training capacity is optimally utilised, it has been decided that the qualifying percentile for NEET-SS may be reduced from the existing 50th percentile to 30th percentile for the purpose of the proposed Special Stray Vacancy Round,” a Union government note filed before a Bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha said.
Consequently, candidates securing the 30th percentile and above in NEET-SS would become eligible to participate in the special stray vacancy round for NEET-SS seats.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in