Proposal to Replace Percentile-Based Eligibility with Percentage System in NEET UG Under Review by NMC
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) is the main entrance exam for MBBS and other medical courses in India. Every year, lakhs of students appear for this exam to secure a seat in medical colleges.
Recently, a proposal has been submitted to the National Medical Commission (NMC) suggesting an important change in the NEET eligibility system. The proposal recommends shifting from the current percentile-based system to a percentage-based eligibility system.
If this change is implemented, it can significantly affect how students qualify for NEET.
Current NEET Eligibility System (Percentile-Based)
At present, NEET eligibility is decided based on percentile scores.
This means:
- ● Students do not need a fixed number of marks
- ● They qualify based on their performance compared to other students
Example:
- General category → 50th percentile
- OBC/SC/ST → 50th percentile
- simple terms, if you perform better than a certain percentage of students, you qualify — even if your marks are not very high.
What is the Proposed Change?
The new proposal suggests that NEET eligibility should be based on percentage of marks instead of percentile.
This means:
- ● Students will need to score a fixed minimum percentage in NEET
- ● Qualification will depend on actual marks, not comparison
Example:
- General category → Around 100-150/720
- Reserved categories → slightly lower percentage
So, instead of ranking, a fixed score will decide whether a student qualifies or not.
Why is This Change Being Suggested?
One of the main reasons behind this proposal is the limitation of the current percentile system.
Sometimes:
- ● The exam is very difficult
- ● Overall student performance is low
In such cases, even students with low marks may qualify because the system is relative.
Problem:
- ●No fixed academic standard
- ● Quality of qualifying candidates may vary
Solution (as per proposal):
- ● Introduce a minimum percentage (Fixed Score)
- ● Ensure all students meet a basic academic level
How Many Students Will Be Affected?
Every year:
- ● Around 20-23 lakh students appear for NEET
- ● Nearly 10 lakh students qualify
If a percentage-based system is introduced:
- ● The number of qualified students may be changes
- ● Only students scoring above a fixed level will be eligible
Impact on NEET Aspirants
If this change is implemented, students will need to change their preparation strategy.
🔹 Major Changes:
- ● Focus will shift from rank to marks
- ● Students will aim for a safe score, not just qualification
- ● Low scores will not be enough to qualify
🔹 Preparation Impact:
- ● Students will need stronger conceptual clarity
- ● Consistent scoring will become important
- ● Coaching strategies may also change
Advantages of Percentage System
- ● Clear and fixed eligibility criteria
- ● Better academic standard
- ● More transparency in qualification
Possible Concerns
- ● Increased pressure on students
- ● Fewer students may qualify
- ● Students from weaker backgrounds may face difficulty
Current Status of the Proposal
It is important to understand that:
- ● This is only a proposal submitted to NMC
- ● No official decision has been announced yet
- ● The current percentile system is still in use
The final decision will be taken after proper evaluation by authorities.
The proposal to shift from percentile-based eligibility to percentage-based eligibility in NEET is a major possible change in the medical admission process.
If implemented, it will move the system from:
Relative performance → Absolute performance
This means students will need to focus more on achieving higher marks rather than just qualifying.
However, since the proposal is still under review, students should continue their preparation according to the current system while staying updated with official announcements.
