India to shift NEET-PG admissions from percentile to rank-based system

A 12-member expert committee constituted on directions from India's Supreme Court has recommended a significant overhaul of the admission mechanism for postgraduate medical entrance examinations, proposing the elimination of the current percentile-based system in favor of a rank-based merit framework.

The committee's recommendations pertain to both NEET-PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate medical courses) and NEET-SS (for super-specialty programs). The shift aims to create a more transparent and streamlined admission process for candidates seeking postgraduate medical education across the country.

The National Medical Commission, India's apex regulatory body for medical education, has granted in-principle approval to implement the new rank-based merit system. According to the committee's timeline, the revised admission framework is scheduled for rollout beginning in 2027, providing medical education institutions and aspiring candidates adequate transition time.

The move represents a departure from the existing percentile-ranking methodology that has been used in postgraduate medical admissions. Proponents of the rank-based system contend it will enhance clarity and reduce discrepancies in the merit evaluation process, though the full implications of the change remain subject to further deliberation before formal implementation.