NEET-PG 2027, NEET-SS may shift to rank-based admissions instead of percentile

On 3 November, the expert committee’s report to the Supreme Court recorded that the NMC has agreed in principle to scrap percentile-based qualifying for NEET PG and NEET SS from 2027. Candidates would be given only a rank, and percentile marks would no longer appear in the merit list. The aim is to stop cut-offs from being cut again and again, even to zero or negative marks, just to fill empty seats. The proposal is not yet formal, because draft regulations are still awaited. Doctors’ groups say it won’t solve problems like high fees, bonds and low stipends.

Key Details of the Proposed Change in NEET PG 2027

What Is the Shift in Format?

Currently, qualifying percentiles and cut-offs decide who is eligible for counselling. Under the new plan, results will show each candidate’s rank directly. Percentile marks will be phased out of the merit list, and cut-offs will no longer be lowered during counselling rounds.

What Is the Origin of the Proposal?

The idea comes from a 12-member expert committee set up by the Union Government on the Supreme Court’s recommendation. NBEMS has proposed adopting the rank-based merit system for NEET PG and NEET SS in the Supreme Court.

What Is the Reason for the Shift?

In the past, qualifying cut-offs were reduced again and again, sometimes to zero or even negative marks, just to fill vacant seats. Critics said this weakened academic standards, and the new system aims to stop it.

How Will It Affect the Counselling Timeline?

The new framework is expected to make admissions smoother and reduce the gap between PG counselling rounds conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).

What Is the Current Status?

The NMC has approved the concept in principle and informed the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). However, the proposal is not yet formal. Draft regulations are still awaited for feedback from the public and stakeholders.

Criticisms and Concerns from Doctors 

The United Doctors Front (UDF) says a rank-based system alone cannot fix deeper problems in medical education. These include:

• High fees in private and deemed universities
• Compulsory service bonds
• Low stipends
• Vacant seats in pre-clinical and para-clinical branches

UDF chairperson Dr Lakshya Mittal said that changing the merit-list method without solving these issues is only a change in approach, not reform. In reply, the government pointed to state jurisdiction and existing rules. It said the NMC’s 2022 fee guidelines for 50% of seats in private colleges and deemed universities are under litigation, and that bonds and recruitment are state subjects.

What Is Still Unclear?

Important rules are still under review, such as how minimum qualifying thresholds, zero or negative scores and category-wise reservations will work under a purely rank-driven model.