NEET SS 2025: Unfilled Tamil Nadu Seats to be Returned, Cutoff Reduction Under Consideration

The Union Government on September 3, 2026, orally informed the Supreme Court of its decision to return all unfilled NEET SS 2025 seats to Tamil Nadu. In addition, the Centre is actively considering a reduction in the qualifying percentile for NEET SS 2025, with details on the extent of this reduction to be provided to the court in writing by September 8.

This significant development addresses a protracted legal dispute concerning 151 vacant super speciality seats in Tamil Nadu that were initially transferred to the All India Quota. The decision provides a crucial resolution for the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association and numerous in-service doctors awaiting clarity on their super speciality admissions for the academic year 2025-2026.

NEET SS 2025: Key Court Proceedings and Decisions

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati conveyed the Union Government’s decision to a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe on September 3, 2026. ASG Bhati stated, “We will give all of the remaining Tamil Nadu seats back to them…. We will give all what is unfilled for Tamil Nadu. What Tamil Nadu can’t fulfil by reduction of percentage, it will give it back.” This statement confirmed the Centre’s intent to return all seats that remain unfilled after the counselling process.

The legal issue originated from a Supreme Court directive on July 28, 2026, which instructed the Tamil Nadu government to revert 151 unfilled NEET SS seats to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) by July 29, 2026. The Supreme Court had also asked the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to complete the NEET SS 2025 counselling process within two weeks of July 28, 2026. Next, the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association approached the Supreme Court, seeking a modification of this order, particularly contesting a previous ruling that mandated only 50% of seats, if filled after a percentile reduction, would be returned to the state.

NEET SS 2025: Vacant Seats and Reservation Policy

The petitioners, represented by Senior Advocate P. Wilson, argued that the seats in question form part of the State’s 50% reservation for in-service doctors, as outlined in G.O. Ms. No. 462 dated November 7, 2020. The constitutional validity of this government order was upheld by the Supreme Court in the 2021 case of Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association v. Union of India. On August 24, ASG Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that approximately 40 seats remained vacant out of the 151 seats initially transferred by Tamil Nadu, prompting Senior Advocate P. Wilson to press for the return of all 40 in-service seats to the state.

NEET SS 2025 Tamil Nadu Seat Status

NEET SS 2025: Consideration for Cutoff Reduction

The Union Government’s consideration of a reduction in the qualifying percentile for NEET SS 2025 is a direct response to the significant number of vacant seats and the pleas from various medical associations. Currently, 111 candidates are awaiting such a reduction in the qualifying percentile. The Centre’s decision to inform the Supreme Court about the quantum of this reduction on September 8 will be a critical update for these aspirants.

While the Supreme Court has allowed the State 50% in-service quota for super speciality seats since 2022, and in the academic session 2024-25, all 58 seats remaining after the second round of All India Quota counselling were returned to the State, the Union’s overarching stand remains that there cannot be reservation in super speciality courses, even for in-service candidates. This ongoing philosophical difference underscores the complexity of the issue, even as pragmatic solutions are sought to fill critical medical education seats.

Written by Aayush Kukreja

Aayush is a writer and content strategist who turns personal stories into brand narratives. With an experience spanning diverse industries, rely on his writing for simplifying complex subjects & get in-depth insights - always with sharp wit.

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