The National Medical Commission (NMC) has given in-principle approval to a proposed rank-based admission system for NEET-PG and NEET-SS from 2027, potentially changing how candidates qualify for postgraduate medical counselling. However, important details concerning minimum marks, category-wise eligibility and vacant seats are yet to be finalised.

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Under the proposed system, admission merit would be determined through candidates' ranks instead of the existing percentile-based qualifying process. The proposal follows recommendations from a 12-member expert committee constituted by the Centre, with the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) reportedly suggesting the change.

One of the biggest questions is whether candidates scoring zero or negative marks will remain eligible for admission. The final regulations will also need to clarify whether separate qualifying requirements will continue for General, EWS, SC, ST, OBC and PwBD categories, and whether counselling can proceed through the merit list until all available seats are filled.

The debate gained attention after qualifying cut-offs for the 2025-26 admission cycle were substantially reduced to address vacant postgraduate seats. The General and EWS qualifying threshold, for example, fell from the 50th percentile, equivalent to 276 marks out of 800, to the seventh percentile, or 103 marks. The threshold for several reserved categories was also reduced, with some candidates becoming eligible at zero percentile, equivalent to minus 40 marks.

The expert committee has reportedly recommended against lowering qualifying standards to the extent that candidates with extremely poor or negative performance become eligible.

The proposal also includes changes to counselling procedures, such as greater digitisation, online verification and structured timelines. However, these measures remain subject to the regulatory process.

For aspirants, the final NMC regulations will be crucial in determining whether rank alone decides admission eligibility or whether minimum marks and category-specific conditions will continue.