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New Delhi: Medical postgraduate admissions in India could undergo a significant change, with the National Medical Commission (NMC) giving in-principle approval to replace the existing percentile-based system with a rank-based merit system for NEET-PG and NEET-Super Speciality (NEET-SS) counselling.
The proposed reform aims to make the admission process more transparent, predictable and time-bound. Under the proposed system, candidates’ ranks would determine their position in the merit list, instead of declaring percentile scores as the basis for counselling eligibility.
According to a report submitted to the Supreme Court on November 3 by a 12-member expert committee reviewing the postgraduate medical admission process, the NMC is working on new regulations to implement the proposed change. The commission communicated its proposal to the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) through a letter dated October 1, 2026.
The proposal comes amid concerns over repeated reductions in qualifying percentile requirements to fill vacant postgraduate medical seats. Such relaxations have raised questions about maintaining minimum academic standards in medical education.
The expert committee has emphasised that qualifying standards should not be diluted merely to accommodate vacant seats. It has also recommended measures such as rationalising fees for non-clinical postgraduate courses and reviewing service bond requirements for certain specialities.
The proposed rank-based framework is expected to streamline counselling and reduce delays in admissions. However, the new regulations are yet to be finalised, and the implementation details will become clearer after stakeholder consultations and official notifications.
For NEET-PG and NEET-SS aspirants, the proposed change could reshape the admission process from 2027. Candidates should follow official NMC and Medical Counselling Committee announcements for confirmed updates.
Source: National Medical Commission and expert committee report submitted to the Supreme Court.