New Delhi | Arun Sharma

Amid an ongoing global debate on the quality of healthcare delivery, a serious question linked to India’s medical education system has begun to draw international attention. The steady decline in cut-off scores for prestigious postgraduate medical entrance examinations such as NEET-PG has sparked concern not only about the direction of medical education in India, but also about its wider implications for patient safety and clinical competence worldwide.


Health education experts warn that relaxed eligibility benchmarks at the postgraduate level could weaken the foundation of doctor training. In a country that serves one of the world’s largest patient populations, this raises a fundamental concern: is the integrity of healthcare being compromised at its very roots?


Merit Versus the Race for Numbers
International medical education analysts point out that the push to expand medical seats, increasing private sector participation and the fear of vacant seats have collectively contributed to a steady softening of cut-off marks. While this approach may address short-term workforce shortages, experts caution that it risks long-term damage to medical standards. The issue extends beyond national borders, as doctors trained in India serve in healthcare systems across the globe.


Questions Over Clinical Training
Experts caution that lowering entry standards can translate into weaker clinical judgement, diagnostic errors and heightened risks to patient safety. In line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, they stress that medical education must prioritise quality, rigorous assessment and strong ethical training to ensure safe and effective healthcare delivery.


Patient Safety Must Come First
Health policy specialists underline that medical education is not merely a pathway to earning a degree, but a profound responsibility tied directly to human lives. Any dilution in training standards ultimately places patients at risk—whether in India or in other countries that rely on Indian-trained medical professionals.


A Message to Policymakers
Experts have urged the government, medical regulatory bodies and academic institutions to focus on reforming examination systems, strengthening faculty quality and aligning training with international benchmarks, rather than lowering cut-off thresholds. Compromising on doctors’ competence, they warn, is ultimately a compromise on patient safety itself—a cost no healthcare system can afford to bear.