NEET PG 2026 Counseling Updates: Shift to Rank-Based System and Digital Process

The NEET PG 2026 counseling process is currently in progress, with significant updates including a shift from a percentile-based to a rank-based merit system. Candidates are required to report for the first round by November 2, with the second round registration scheduled from November 6 to November 11. The National Medical Commission has approved this transition, aiming to streamline the process and enhance efficiency. Additionally, the counseling will be fully digitized, allowing candidates to choose between 'Freeze' and 'Float' options for seat allocation. Stay informed about these crucial changes that impact medical admissions.

By Ambika Singh Nov 5, 2026, 16:04 IST

Current Status of NEET PG Counseling

The counseling for NEET PG 2026 is actively taking place. Candidates who were allocated seats in the initial round needed to report by November 2. The registration period for the second round is set from November 6 to November 11. Additionally, on November 3, it was presented to the Supreme Court that the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is considering a shift to a rank-based merit system for NEET PG and NEET SS, moving away from the existing percentile-based approach.

Supreme Court Hearing and NMC's Approval

During a court session involving Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe, the NBEMS shared details regarding a petition that contested the lowered cut-off percentile for NEET PG 2025-26. The Supreme Court postponed the hearing to allow time for reviewing the report and for the parties involved to respond to the committee's suggestions.

NMC's Transition to Rank-Based System

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has sanctioned the move from a percentile-based eligibility criterion to a rank-based merit system. After discussions with relevant stakeholders, a draft regulation will be released. The NMC Secretary has communicated this proposal to the Directorate General of Health Services through an official letter. The NMC Secretary also mentioned that adopting a rank-based system would help minimize the interval between the second and third rounds of PG counseling.

Digital Transformation of Counseling Process

Plans for a Fully Digital Counseling Process

The proposal includes a complete digitization of the medical counseling process. It has been advised that there should be no major relaxations in the NEET percentile cut-off to uphold the examination's integrity. The proposal emphasizes that candidates with significantly poor performance should not gain admission to medical colleges. Meanwhile, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is progressing towards conducting the entire counseling process online.

New Options for Candidates

‘Freeze’ and ‘Float’ Options Introduced

In the upcoming academic session, candidates will have the option to choose between ‘Freeze’ and ‘Float’ on the Medical Counselling Committee’s portal. Those opting for ‘Freeze’ must report in person to their designated institution to confirm their seat or complete the upgrade process. In contrast, candidates selecting the ‘Float’ option can accept their assigned seat online.

If a candidate receives a different seat through the upgrade process, the procedure to relinquish their previous seat will also be conducted online. Furthermore, candidates will only need to pay fees once their admission is confirmed.