The Supreme Court has accepted a petition from two medical colleges asking for a reduction in the qualifying percentile for NEET UG 2026, citing a significant number of unfilled MBBS seats across India. This development could have direct implications for how seats are allocated in future counselling rounds and which candidates become eligible for admission. The court will hear the matter again on November 16. Understanding what this petition means and how it might affect your admission prospects is important as the 2026 admission cycle progresses.
A Supreme Court petition seeking lower NEET qualifying percentiles could expand eligibility for MBBS seats if approved, potentially opening doors for candidates who currently fall below the cutoff.
Your matched MBBS & BDS colleges
LockedEnter your NEET rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and every state — with official closing ranks and fees.
Unlock My College ListWhat Is the Supreme Court Petition About?
Two medical colleges—Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute and Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute—have filed a petition in the Supreme Court requesting that the qualifying percentile for NEET UG 2026 be lowered. The petition was heard on November 5 before a bench comprising Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe.
The colleges argue that the current qualifying percentile requirement is leaving a large number of MBBS seats empty across the country. They have asked the competent authority to use its powers under Clause II(b) of Chapter 8 of the NEET UG 2026 information bulletin to reduce the qualifying requirement. A senior advocate representing the colleges pointed out that this clause already gives authorities the power to adjust the qualifying criteria when necessary.
How Many MBBS Seats Are Currently Vacant?
The scale of vacant seats this year is significantly higher than in previous years. According to Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) data, 3,426 MBBS seats remained vacant after the third round of All India counselling in 2026, compared to only 802 seats at the same stage in 2025. Even after the final stray vacancy round, 837 MBBS seats remained unfilled across the country.
The distribution of these vacancies reveals a concerning pattern. Of the 837 unfilled seats, 824 were in deemed universities located in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry alone. Additional vacancies included one seat at AIIMS Madurai and 12 seats at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute in Kolar, Karnataka. At the state level, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, and Rajasthan each reported more than 100 vacant MBBS seats after multiple counselling rounds.
- 3,426 MBBS seats vacant after third counselling round (2026)
- 802 MBBS seats vacant at same stage in 2025
- 837 seats remained unfilled after final stray vacancy round
- 824 of these vacancies in deemed universities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
Know the exact MBBS/BDS colleges your rank can get
Official 2023–2025 closing ranks and fees, matched to your rank.
Why Are So Many Seats Remaining Empty?
The primary reason for these vacancies is not a shortage of qualified candidates, but rather the high fees charged by private and deemed medical colleges. Educationists have criticized the absence of a fee cap for deemed universities, pointing out that high-scoring NEET candidates are forced to reject these seats because they cannot afford the tuition costs, which range from Rs 23 lakh to Rs 35 lakh per year.
This situation defeats the purpose of a merit-based national entrance examination. A candidate who scores well enough to secure an MBBS seat should theoretically be able to pursue the course, but financial barriers are preventing this. The issue highlights a structural problem in India's medical education system where merit and affordability are not aligned, particularly in the private sector.
What Fee Concessions Are Colleges Offering?
Recognizing the problem of vacant seats, several private medical colleges and deemed universities have begun offering fee concessions to attract NEET aspirants. These discounts vary widely depending on the institution and the candidate's profile.
In one notable case, a deemed medical university in Tamil Nadu reduced annual tuition fees by 40%, bringing the cost down from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per year. When hostel and other expenses are included, the total cost of the four-and-a-half-year MBBS course came to below Rs 80 lakh, compared to the original course fee of over Rs 1 crore. In another instance, a self-financed medical college in Rajasthan offered a concession of Rs 4.5 lakh on a total course fee of Rs 94.5 lakh. While these reductions are significant, they still represent substantial financial commitments for most families.
What Could Happen If the Qualifying Percentile Is Lowered?
If the Supreme Court approves the petition and the qualifying percentile is reduced, the immediate effect would be an expansion of the candidate pool eligible for MBBS admission. Candidates who currently score below the existing cutoff would become eligible to participate in counselling rounds and potentially secure seats.
This could help fill the vacant seats and ensure that more of India's medical college infrastructure is utilized. However, it would also mean that the competition for seats might change, and the merit order for seat allocation could shift. For aspirants currently just below the cutoff, this could represent a significant opportunity to secure an MBBS seat that would otherwise have been unavailable to them.
Every kind of MBBS/BDS seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET rank can reach.
What Is Happening in Maharashtra?
Maharashtra has faced a similar situation with 138 MBBS and BDS seats remaining vacant after six rounds of centralized counselling conducted by the State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell. These included 84 MBBS seats and 54 BDS seats. This year, the Maharashtra government discontinued institution-level counselling and made all admissions mandatory through the CET Cell, following complaints about admission denials and excessive fee demands during college-level rounds in previous years.
Two private medical colleges in Maharashtra—Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in Palghar and Parbhani Medical College (PMC) in Parbhani—approached the Bombay High Court seeking permission to conduct institution-level counselling to fill vacant seats. However, the court declined their plea, calling it premature since the state counselling process was still ongoing. The court did acknowledge that colleges may be permitted to fill vacant seats through manual counselling after centralized admissions are complete, and suggested that colleges could approach the Supreme Court for an extension of the admission deadline if needed.
What Does This Mean for NEET 2026 Aspirants?
For candidates who scored well but fell short of the current qualifying percentile, this petition offers a potential lifeline. If approved, you could become eligible for MBBS admission in a subsequent counselling round or through a revised merit list. This is particularly relevant for candidates in the borderline range who were disappointed after the initial counselling rounds.
Additionally, the widespread availability of fee concessions at private and deemed colleges means that even if you secure a seat at a higher fee institution, there may be room to negotiate or wait for a discount offer. However, it is important to remain realistic: fee concessions, while helpful, still represent significant expenses. The broader takeaway is that the admission landscape for 2026 remains fluid, and candidates should stay informed about court decisions and counselling updates from the MCC and their respective state authorities.
When Will the Supreme Court Decide?
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing on the petition for November 16, 2026. This is when the court will likely hear further arguments from both the petitioning colleges and the respondent authorities (the Union Government, DGHS, MCC, and NMC) before making a decision.
Aspirants and their families should monitor official announcements from the MCC and NMC following this hearing. Any decision to lower the qualifying percentile would likely be communicated through official channels and could trigger additional counselling rounds or a revised merit list. It is advisable to check the MCC website and your state counselling authority's portal regularly for updates.
See the exact MBBS colleges your NEET rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — official closing ranks and fees for every seat your rank can reach, All India and your state.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the qualifying percentile in NEET UG, and why does it matter?
The qualifying percentile is the minimum score threshold that a candidate must achieve to be considered eligible for MBBS or BDS admission. It is calculated based on the performance of all candidates in the NEET exam. Only candidates who score at or above this percentile are included in the merit list for counselling. If the percentile is lowered, more candidates become eligible, which can help fill vacant seats.
How many MBBS seats are vacant in NEET 2026?
After the final stray vacancy round of NEET 2026 counselling, 837 MBBS seats remained unfilled across India. Of these, 824 were in deemed universities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. This is significantly higher than the 802 vacant seats at the same stage in 2025, indicating a growing problem with seat utilization.
Why are so many MBBS seats remaining vacant if there are qualified candidates?
The primary reason is the high fees charged by private and deemed medical colleges, which range from Rs 23 lakh to Rs 35 lakh per year. Many high-scoring NEET candidates cannot afford these fees and choose not to take the seat, even though they are eligible. This creates a mismatch between merit and affordability in India's medical education system.
If the Supreme Court lowers the qualifying percentile, will I become eligible for MBBS?
If you currently score below the existing qualifying percentile but would fall within a lowered percentile, then yes, you could become eligible for MBBS admission. However, this would depend on the exact percentile reduction approved by the court and your specific score. You would need to wait for the court's decision and any subsequent counselling rounds or revised merit lists.
What fee concessions are medical colleges offering?
Several private and deemed medical colleges have begun offering fee reductions to attract candidates. Examples include a 40% reduction in annual fees at a Tamil Nadu deemed university (from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 15 lakh) and a Rs 4.5 lakh concession at a Rajasthan private college. However, even with concessions, MBBS at private institutions remains expensive, typically ranging from Rs 80 lakh to over Rs 1 crore for the full course.
When will the Supreme Court decide on the petition?
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for November 16, 2026. A decision is expected after this hearing, though the exact timeline is uncertain. Aspirants should monitor official MCC and NMC announcements for updates on the court's decision and any resulting changes to the admission process.
What should I do if I scored below the current qualifying percentile?
Continue to monitor official announcements from the MCC and your state counselling authority. If the Supreme Court approves a lower qualifying percentile, additional counselling rounds or a revised merit list may be released. In the meantime, explore fee concession options at private colleges if you have already secured a seat, or prepare for any future counselling rounds that may open up.
Are there any other reasons for vacant MBBS seats besides high fees?
While high fees are the primary reason, other factors include the geographic location of colleges, the reputation of institutions, and the availability of hostel facilities. However, educationists have emphasized that the lack of a fee cap for deemed universities is the most significant barrier preventing qualified candidates from taking available seats.
The Supreme Court's decision on November 16 could reshape the NEET 2026 admission landscape by potentially expanding eligibility for MBBS seats. Aspirants should stay alert to official updates from the MCC and their state counselling authorities, as any change in the qualifying percentile could trigger new counselling rounds or opportunities for candidates currently below the cutoff.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.