NEET PG, NEET SS Rank-Based System: NMC Gives In-Principle Approval—What It Means
Published 4 Nov 20264 min read
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted in-principle approval to replace the percentile-based qualifying system for NEET PG and NEET SS with a rank-based merit system, according to a report submitted to the Supreme Court by a 12-member expert committee on November 3, 2026. However, this is not yet a final rule—a draft regulation is expected for stakeholder consultation, and the current system remains in force until formal notification .
What Has Actually Been Approved?
The approval is "in-principle"—meaning the NMC has agreed to the direction of the change, but the legal framework is not complete. According to the committee's report, the NMC is "in the process of issuing new regulations, which are yet to be finalised" .
Under the proposed system:
- Only ranks will be declared in NEET PG and NEET SS results
- Percentile marks will not be published
- Counselling and admission will be based on rank, not percentile thresholds
The proposal received in-principle approval at an NMC meeting on September 23, 2026, according to a letter dated October 1, 2026, from the NMC Secretary to the Director General of Health Services .
Why the Shift from Percentile to Rank?
The current percentile-based system has required repeated reductions in qualifying cut-offs to fill vacant postgraduate seats—a practice that has drawn Supreme Court scrutiny and criticism from doctors' bodies.
Under the existing system, when seats remain vacant after counselling rounds, authorities lower the qualifying percentile to expand the candidate pool. For NEET PG 2025-26, the general category cut-off was reduced from 276 marks to 103, and for SC/ST/OBC candidates from 235 to minus 40 .
The expert committee told the Supreme Court that a rank-based system would reduce the time gap between counselling rounds, because percentile reductions require approval from a competent authority and stakeholder consultation .
The committee also emphasized that "the sanctity of NEET examinations should be maintained" and minimum qualifying standards should not be diluted to permit candidates with "grossly inadequate or negative performance" to become eligible for admission .
What This Means for NEET PG 2027 Candidates
Do not assume the rank-based system will apply to NEET PG 2027. While some reports mention 2027 as a possible implementation year , the NMC has not confirmed any implementation timeline. The draft regulation must first be issued, stakeholders consulted, and final rules notified.
- Until then, the existing percentile-based framework remains the operative system .
- Candidates preparing for NEET PG 2027 should:
- Continue preparing for the exam as currently structured
- Monitor official NMC and NBEMS notifications for the draft regulation
- Not alter their application or preparation strategy based on this proposal alone
Other Recommendations from the Expert Committee
Beyond the rank-based system, the committee recommended several measures to address vacant PG medical seats and counselling inefficiencies :
Lower fees for non-clinical courses (pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry) to encourage candidates to accept these seats
Exempt pre-clinical and para-clinical students from service bonds to reduce vacancies in these branches
Biometric/KYC verification to prevent seat-blocking by candidates who appear for exams without intending to join
Digital "Freeze" and "Float" options in MCC counselling—candidates opting for Float can accept seats online and seek upgradation without physical travel
These are recommendations only and do not currently apply to candidates.
What Happens Next?
The sequence is:
- Draft regulation issued by NMC for stakeholder comments
- Consultation period—medical associations, state authorities, and candidates can respond
- Final regulation notified—only then does the rank-based system become operative
- Supreme Court proceedings continue; the Court has taken the committee's report on record and allowed parties to file responses
There is no confirmed date for any of these steps.
Official sources to monitor: nmc.org.in | natboard.edu.in
