NEET PG to shift to a rank-based system, percentile method to be scrapped; NMC submits proposal to Supreme Court..
NEET PG: The counseling process for admission to postgraduate medical courses (NEET PG 2026) is currently underway. Candidates who secured a seat in the first round were required to report by November 2. Meanwhile, registration for the second round will take place from November 6 to November 11. In the interim, it was conveyed to the Supreme Court on November 3 that the NBEMS has proposed adopting a rank-based merit system for NEET PG and NEET SS, which would replace the current percentile-based format.
The NBEMS provided this information to a bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe during the hearing of a petition that challenged the reduction of the cut-off percentile for NEET PG 2025-26. The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing, noting that the decision was made to allow time to study the report and to provide the involved parties an opportunity to submit their responses regarding the committee's recommendations.
NMC Approves Adoption of Rank-Based System
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved the transition from a percentile-based eligibility limit to a rank-based merit system. Following consultations with stakeholders, a draft regulation on this matter will be issued. The Secretary of the NMC has also informed the Directorate General of Health Services about this proposal via a formal letter. Furthermore, the NMC Secretary stated that the implementation of a rank-based merit system would reduce the time gap between the second and third rounds of PG counseling.
Plans to Digitize the Counseling Process
The proposal also emphasizes making the medical counseling process entirely digital. Furthermore, it has been recommended that there should not be significant relaxations in the NEET percentile cut-off, in order to maintain the integrity and importance of the examination. According to the proposal, candidates with extremely poor performance should not be granted admission to medical colleges. Meanwhile, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is working towards conducting the entire counselling process online.
‘Freeze’ and ‘Float’ Options for Candidates
As part of the changes being implemented on the Medical Counselling Committee’s portal, candidates will be categorized into ‘Freeze’ and ‘Float’ options, starting from this academic session. Candidates who select the ‘Freeze’ option will be required to report in person to the respective institution to secure their allotted seat or complete the upgradation process. Conversely, candidates who choose the ‘Float’ option will be able to accept their allotted seat through an online mode.
If a candidate is allotted a different seat through the upgradation process, the procedure for being relieved from their previously held seat will also be completed online. Additionally, candidates will only be required to pay the fees once their admission has been finalized.
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