New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- An expert panel set up by the Union health ministry proposed on Tuesday sweeping changes in the national postgraduate medical entrance examination, including replacing the existing percentile-based qualifying system with a rank-based merit system, reducing fees for non-clinical courses, revising medical residents' stipends, and preventing seat blocking through biometric verification.

In an affidavit filed by the Union health ministry before the Supreme Court, the panel also recommended no salary discrimination between clinical and non-clinical branches, increments after super-speciality, and incentives for those working in rural areas, while noting that health is a state subject under the Constitution.

"NMC is in th...