Education news
NMC Approves Rank-Based System for NEET PG and NEET SS Admissions
· Source: Amar Ujala
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has given in-principle approval to replace the percentile-based system with a rank-based system for NEET PG and NEET SS admissions. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has welcomed the proposal but warned that minimum eligibility criteria and academic standards must not be compromised to fill vacant seats.
NMC Proposal for Rank-Based Admissions
The admission process for postgraduate and super-speciality medical courses is set to change. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has given in-principle approval to introduce a rank-based system instead of the current percentile-based system in NEET PG and NEET SS. Under this proposal, exam results will declare only the ranks of candidates rather than percentile marks. This proposal is part of recommendations submitted to the Supreme Court by a 12-member expert committee to make admissions simpler, transparent, and aligned with the designated academic calendar.
- A rank-based system will replace the current percentile system.
- Exam scorecards will declare only candidates' ranks.
- The system aims to reduce delays between different counselling rounds.
- The proposed rules have not yet been finalised or officially notified.
IMA Concerns Over Standards and Patient Safety
While the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has welcomed the proposal, it emphasised that merit and minimum academic standards should not be compromised. IMA President Dr. Anil Kumar J Nayak stressed that medical education aims to prepare competent specialists responsible for human lives, and candidates should not be made eligible through arbitrary relaxations just to fill vacancies. The IMA warned that lowering eligibility repeatedly could lead to admissions for candidates with very low or negative marks, harming the quality of medical education and patient safety.
Real Reasons Behind Vacant PG Medical Seats
According to Dr. Piyush Jain, Finance Secretary at IMA Headquarters, the issue of vacant seats cannot be solved simply by lowering eligibility criteria. Instead, colleges must address the core issues that discourage candidates from choosing certain institutions and specialities:
- High fees charged by certain institutions.
- Lack of essential basic infrastructure in medical colleges.
- Shortage of qualified faculty and teachers.
- Disparities in stipends across different medical institutions.
- Adverse or unattractive working conditions in specific specialities.
Changes to Counselling and Next Steps
In the existing system, authorities require separate permissions to reduce the minimum percentile cut-off during subsequent counselling rounds to fill vacant seats. The proposed rank-based system may end the need to seek separate permission to lower cut-offs. However, the IMA has stated that before finalising the rules, consultations should be held with stakeholders, including the IMA, medical college faculty members, teachers, and resident doctors. The NMC is expected to issue a draft of the proposed rules to invite suggestions and objections before issuing a final notification.
Questions
What major change has the NMC approved for NEET PG and NEET SS?
The NMC has given in-principle approval to replace the percentile-based admission system with a rank-based system where results will declare only the ranks of candidates.
Have the new rank-based admission rules been officially implemented?
No, the proposal has only received in-principle approval, and final rules will be notified after releasing a draft and seeking feedback from stakeholders.
Why has the IMA raised concerns regarding vacant seat admissions?
The IMA warned that arbitrarily lowering eligibility criteria to fill seats could admit candidates with very low or negative marks, which risks medical education quality and patient safety.
Who recommended this new counselling and admission reform?
The reform is part of recommendations submitted to the Supreme Court by a 12-member expert committee to eliminate counselling delays and adhere to the academic calendar.
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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