New Tie-Breaking Rule for NEET-UG 2025: A Fairer Approach for Medical Aspirants
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced a significant change to the tie-breaking rule for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2025. This new rule aims to ensure a more transparent and systematic approach when resolving ties between candidates with identical scores. Previously, a seven-step tie-breaking criterion was used, but the NTA has now updated the process, bringing in additional considerations for a more accurate merit-based selection. The changes come at a time when competition for medical seats has intensified, and even the slightest difference in scores can impact college admissions.
What Happens When Candidates Have Identical NEET UG Scores?
In cases where two or more candidates obtain the same marks or percentile in NEET-UG 2025, the NTA will use the following updated tie-breaking criteria to determine the inter-se merit order. This system is designed to fairly rank candidates and ensure that their performance is evaluated based on several parameters.
1. Biology Scores as the Primary Factor
- The first step in resolving a tie is to compare the Biology marks. Botany and Zoology are both part of the Biology section, and candidates with higher marks in this subject will be given preference. This step is particularly significant since Biology is the core subject for most medical students.
- Example: If Candidate A and Candidate B both score 650 marks, but Candidate A scores higher in Biology, Candidate A will be ranked higher.
2. Chemistry Marks
- If the tie remains unresolved after comparing Biology scores, the Chemistry marks will be considered next. Since Chemistry plays a crucial role in medical education, this step gives an advantage to candidates who have a better grasp of the subject.
- Example: If Candidate A and Candidate B have identical Biology scores, but Candidate A has higher marks in Chemistry, Candidate A will be ranked higher.
3. Physics Scores
- If the tie persists after comparing both Biology and Chemistry, Physics scores will be the deciding factor. Physics, being a fundamental subject for all medical aspirants, becomes the next point of differentiation.
- Example: Suppose Candidate A and Candidate B have equal scores in both Biology and Chemistry, but Candidate A has a higher score in Physics. In this case, Candidate A will be ranked ahead.
4. Accuracy of Responses Across All Subjects
- If the tie is still unresolved, the NTA will look at the accuracy of the candidates' answers across all subjects. Candidates with fewer incorrect answers in proportion to their correct answers will be ranked higher.
- Example: If Candidate A and Candidate B have identical marks in all subjects, but Candidate A has fewer incorrect answers, Candidate A will be given preference.
5. Subject-Wise Accuracy
- If the tie remains unresolved, the NTA will evaluate the accuracy in each individual subject in the following order:
- Fewer incorrect answers in Biology.
- If Biology accuracy is identical, fewer incorrect answers in Chemistry.
- If there’s still no difference, fewer incorrect answers in Physics.
- Example: Candidate A and Candidate B have the same marks across all subjects, but Candidate A has fewer incorrect answers in Biology. Candidate A will then be ranked higher.
6. Final Resort: Random Selection
- If all the above steps fail to break the tie, the final decision will be made through a random selection process, under the supervision of an independent expert committee. This random process ensures complete fairness and transparency when all merit-based methods are exhausted.
- Example: If Candidate A and Candidate B still have identical marks, with no difference in the number of incorrect answers in each subject, the NTA will randomly select one candidate as the merit order.
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