New Delhi: The Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology Societies of India (FOGSI), which represents clinicians and academicians committed to maintaining high standards of medical education and patient care, has sought an immediate review and reversal of the practice of repeatedly lowering NEET-PG eligibility percentile.In a statement released on February 11, FOGSI expressed serious concern that lowering the eligibility threshold for national merit-based examinations would weaken meritocracy and compromise academic rigor, raising concerns about the quality of specialist training and patient safety.The agency urged the National Medical Council, particularly its Committee on Graduate Medical Education, to urgently revisit the policy.FOGSI noted that the NEET-PG Information Bulletin has formulated a structured and transparent algorithm for filling vacant seats, including category conversion and sequential counseling rounds. The report said these mechanisms must be strictly adhered to and exhausted before lowering eligibility criteria can be considered.Addressing the issue of vacant seats, the federation said the root cause was not lack of strength but the “highly unreasonable and unaffordable” fee structure of several private and deemed universities. With postgraduate fees ranging from hundreds of thousands of rupees to tens of millions of rupees, professional education risks turning into a “pay-to-enter” system where finances trump ability. “Postgraduate medical education is not just about filling seats; it is about producing capable experts who can serve the country for decades,” the statement said, adding that dilution of admission standards and uncontrolled commercialization threaten academic excellence, professional dignity and public trust.FOGSI calls on the authorities to reverse repeated percentile cuts, ensure strict compliance with advisory and seat conversion rules, initiate urgent rationalization and regulation of postgraduate fee structures, and engage with professional associations and academic stakeholders before implementing policy changes with long-term implications.The Federation reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the merit, affordability, and integrity of medical education in the greater interest of patients and public health.
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