New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- A shift from percentile-based eligibility to rank-based merit could reshape postgraduate medical admissions from 2027, following years of controversy over sharp reductions in NEET-PG qualifying cut-offs to fill vacant seats.
A 12-member expert committee tasked with reviewing the postgraduate medical admission process has recommended replacing the existing percentile-based qualifying system for NEET-PG and NEET-SS with a rank-based admission mechanism. The panel submitted its report to the Supreme Court on November 3, proposing that candidates be assessed according to their examination ranks rather than the current eligibility criteria.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted in-principle approval to the proposal, with implementation being considered from 2027. However, the detailed framework and final regulations are yet to be announced.
The committee has also recommended against lowering minimum qualifying standards simply to accommodate candidates for vacant postgraduate medical seats. Among its other proposals are reduced fees for non-clinical postgraduate courses and exemptions from service bonds for students pursuing pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects.
Measures to prevent counselling delays and reduce the number of unfilled seats have also been suggested. The Supreme Court has allowed the petitioners time to respond to the report and adjourned the proceedings.
The recommendations follow repeated controversies over reductions in NEET-PG qualifying cut-offs. In 2023, the qualifying percentile was brought down to zero across all categories, making even candidates with negative marks eligible for counselling.
For the 2024 admission cycle, the cut-off was initially reduced in January 2025 to the 15th percentile for General and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates and 10th percentile for reserved categories. It was lowered further in February.
The issue resurfaced during the 2025-26 admission cycle. On January 13, 2026, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) announced another reduction for the third round of counselling. The qualifying percentile for General and EWS candidates fell from 50 to seven, while the threshold for General Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates dropped from 45 to five. For Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates, it was reduced from 40 to zero.
The revised criteria again made candidates with negative marks eligible. Figures presented before the Supreme Court showed that the decision brought an additional 95,913 candidates into the counselling pool.
The move faced a legal challenge, with petitioners questioning the consequences of repeatedly relaxing eligibility requirements for the standard of postgraduate medical education.
In May 2026, a Bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe called for a permanent mechanism to address recurring cut-off reductions, noting the difficulties they created for candidates and the continued presence of vacant seats.
The Centre subsequently informed the Court in August that it had established the expert committee on July 23, under the leadership of the Director General of Health Services.
The panel was tasked with examining shortcomings in the existing admission process and proposing reforms. Its report now offers a possible alternative to repeated cut-off reductions.
The proposed changes are yet to become final and will depend on the regulations framed by the authorities and further proceedings before the Supreme Court.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.