The cutoff percentile for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test PG and NEET Super Speciality exams has been reduced by 15 percent, according to a Union Health Ministry statement.

The decision is likely to benefit about 18,000 aspirants, and this will improve the chances of filling up PG seats and minimise wastage of seats, it said.

"This is a significant step towards strengthening the medical sector and indicates the priority given by the government to it. We are making sure that there is adequate manpower for providing quality healthcare services," Union Health Minister J P Nadda said.