NMC proposes rank-based system for postgraduate medical admissions
The National Medical Commission aims to replace percentile scores with ranks to reduce delays in the counselling process.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has given in-principle approval to replace the percentile-based qualifying system with a rank-based merit system for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) and Super Speciality (NEET-SS) admissions. According to a report by The Indian Express, a 12-member expert committee submitted this proposal to the Supreme Court to help reduce delays between different counselling rounds.
The committee suggested that examination results should show ranks instead of percentile scores. This change would allow the counselling process to be completed within prescribed timeframes without needing permission from a competent authority. The NMC is currently preparing new regulations, which are yet to be finalised.
The proposal follows a controversy regarding the reduction of qualifying thresholds for the 2025-26 NEET-PG counselling. For the third round, the qualifying requirement for General and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates dropped from the 50th percentile (276 marks) to the seventh percentile (103 marks). For Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories, the requirement fell from the 40th percentile (235 marks) to the zero percentile, or minus 40 marks.
Dr Dhruv Chauhan, spokesperson for the Indian Medical Association-Junior Doctors’ Network, said the rank-based system might not stop candidates with negative marks from qualifying. He suggested that instead of diluting standards to fill vacancies, the NMC should cancel seats that consistently remain empty.
The expert committee also recommended streamlining the counselling process by reducing the time gap between rounds and setting fixed timelines for exams. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is also working to digitalise the process to increase transparency and accountability.