Education news
NEET PG Changes: Expert Committee Proposes Rank-Based System Over Percentile
· Source: Amar Ujala
A 12-member expert committee has submitted a report to the Supreme Court proposing to replace the percentile-based eligibility system with a rank-based merit system for medical PG admissions. Draft rules are expected to be issued soon to invite suggestions and feedback from stakeholders.
Proposed Changes in NEET PG Admission System
A 12-member expert committee formed to review the NEET PG admission system has recommended ending the current percentile-based eligibility system and implementing a rank-based merit system. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted in-principle approval to this proposal for both NEET PG and the Super Specialty entrance exam (NEET SS). Draft rules on this matter are expected to be released soon, after which feedback and suggestions will be sought from stakeholders.
Background of the Supreme Court Review
The matter arose after a massive reduction in the cutoff percentile for NEET PG 2025 eligibility by the Union Health Ministry to fill vacant PG medical seats. The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe raised concerns over this reduction, stating that such cuts appear to impact the quality of medical education, and directed the Central Government to conduct a comprehensive audit of the admission system, identify flaws, and suggest workable solutions.
Details of Previous Cutoff Reductions
The Union Health Ministry had significantly reduced the qualifying scores to fill vacant seats as follows:
| Category | Original Qualifying Score | Reduced Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|
| General Category | 276 | 103 |
| SC, ST, and OBC | 235 | -40 |
Questions
What change has been recommended for NEET PG admissions?
A 12-member expert committee has recommended replacing the existing percentile-based eligibility system with a rank-based merit system.
Has the National Medical Commission approved the rank-based proposal?
Yes, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has given in-principle approval to the proposal for both NEET PG and NEET SS.
What will happen after the draft rules are issued?
Once the draft rules are released, suggestions and opinions will be invited from relevant stakeholders.
Why was the expert committee formed?
The committee submitted its report after the Supreme Court raised concerns over steep reductions in cutoff scores for NEET PG 2025 and directed the Centre to audit the system and suggest practical solutions.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
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