NEET-PG to shift to rank-based system from 2027, Centre tells SC

A 12-member expert committee constituted to review the NEET admission system has recommended replacing the existing percentile-based qualifying system for NEET-PG and NEET-SS with a rank-based merit system.

The committee submitted its report to the Supreme Court on November 3. It said that admissions should be based on candidates' ranks rather than the existing percentile-based eligibility system. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has given in-principle approval to the proposal, with implementation proposed from 2027. The detailed rules, however, are yet to be finalised.

The committee has also said that



minimum eligibility standards should not be lowered merely to fill vacant postgraduate medical seats. It observed that admission requirements should not be substantially reduced for this purpose.

Among its other recommendations are lower fees for non-clinical postgraduate courses and exemptions from service bonds for candidates taking pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects. The committee has also suggested measures to address delays in counselling and the recurring problem of vacant seats.

The Supreme Court has granted the petitioners time to file their responses to the report and adjourned the hearing.