NEET Exam Result 2022: Why are qualifying cut-off marks for reserved category candidates at an all-time low?

The Indian Express reviewed data over the last six years to find that the cut-off marks for reserved category candidates this time is the lowest since NEET-UG was introduced in 2017. Experts point to the pandemic-induced disruption as the possible cause behind performance dip

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NEET UG 2022: The qualifying scores for the general category this year also saw a marginal decline, going from 720 – 138 marks in 2021 to 715-117. (Representative image)

Candidates scored fewer marks in this year’s National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, the exam for getting admission into medical colleges. The Indian Express has reviewed the score range data since 2017, when NEET-UG was introduced.

Read | NEET UG 2022 Result LIVE Updates: Meet the toppers

(Graphics by Abhishek Mitra)

The NEET-UG score range required to be in the 40th percentile — which happens to be the cut-off percentile for reserved category candidates — is at an all-time low this year.

This year, the score range to be in the counselling qualification percentile for candidates from the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and OBC (non-creamy layer) categories is 116-93. This is a sharp decline from last year’s score range, which was at 137-108. This is also lower than the previous all-time low in 2018 (118-97).

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At the same time, the score range to reach the cut-off percentile for general category candidates also declined — from 720-138 in 2021 to 715-117 this year. The decline, however, is not as marked.

Also read | NEET UG 2022 topper: Tanishka is the first OBC candidate to achieve AIR 1 in the medical entrance test’s history

Experts who spoke to The Indian Express said the drop in marks could be because of multiple reasons. “There are year-to-year variations in the cut-offs for any competitive exam depending on the pattern of the question paper. Perhaps, it was a tough question paper this year,” said the dean of a medical college in Delhi, requesting anonymity.

Another dean pointed to the pandemic-induced lockdown, online classes and varied accessibility to resources as possible reasons behind the drop in the score range to be in the cut-off percentile for the reserved category.

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Read | NEET UG Results: To repeat or not to repeat a year, here’s what expert advices

“When it comes to those belonging to different categories, if you look at the last two years, who was going to school? Who went to the coaching centres? No one. Everything largely happened online. And, when we talk about the have-nots, it affects them more. A student from Delhi can perhaps attend all classes online. Accessibility was an issue for people from poorer households and those who live in far-flung areas. How could they have assured uninterrupted power and internet connection?” said Dr Yatish Agarwal, Dean of the University School of Medical and Paramedical Health Sciences at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.

Anonna Dutt

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

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