NEET PG Tie-Breaking Rules 2026: How Merit Is Determined When Candidates Have the Same Score

When two or more candidates obtain the same score in NEET PG, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) uses specified NEET PG tie-breaking rules to determine their relative merit positions. The NEET PG tie breaker is applied in a fixed sequence, starting with the number of negative responses in the entire question paper and then moving through section-wise negative responses, MBBS professional examination marks and, finally, date of birth.

Understanding the NEET PG tie breaking criteria is important because a difference in rank can affect a candidate's position in the merit list even when the final NEET PG scores are identical.

What Is Tie-Breaking in NEET PG?

NEET PG tie-breaking is the process used to determine which candidate receives the better merit position when two or more candidates obtain the same score.

Under the NEET PG 2026 criteria, the merit position is determined using the tie-breaking criteria in descending order. This means the first criterion is checked first. If it does not resolve the tie, the next criterion is applied, and the process continues until the tie is resolved.

The NEET PG tie breaker does not change the candidate's score. Instead, it determines the candidate's relative position in the merit list when scores are equal.

When Does a Tie Occur in NEET PG?

A tie occurs when two or more candidates obtain the same score in NEET PG.

The NEET PG 2026 examination follows a marking scheme in which a correct response carries 4 marks, an incorrect response results in a deduction of 1 mark, and an unattempted question receives zero marks. Therefore, candidates can arrive at the same final score through different combinations of correct and incorrect responses.

For example, two candidates may both obtain the same overall score even though one candidate has fewer incorrect responses and a different number of correct responses. The NEET PG tie breaking criteria are used to resolve such a situation.

The NEET PG 2026 question paper is divided into five sections, A, B, C, D and E, with 36 questions in each section. This section-wise structure is relevant because the tie-break process subsequently considers negative responses in each section in sequence.

NEET PG Tie-Breaking Rules

The following criteria are applied in descending order when candidates obtain the same NEET PG score:

How Tie-Breaking Affects NEET PG Merit/Rank

The purpose of the NEET PG merit list tie breaker is to establish a definite order between candidates who have obtained the same score.

A tie does not mean that all candidates will necessarily receive the same rank. Instead, NBEMS applies the prescribed criteria sequentially to determine their inter se merit position.

For example, suppose Candidate A and Candidate B have exactly the same NEET PG score. If Candidate A has fewer overall negative responses, the tie is resolved at the first stage and Candidate A is placed at the better merit position.

If their overall negative responses are also equal, NBEMS moves to Section A. If Section A is also equal, it proceeds to Section B, and so on.

Scenarios of NEET PG Tie-Breaking

A clear explanation of how the tie-breaker is applied in sequence, with practical examples showing how equal NEET PG scores can lead to different merit positions.

Scenario 1: Same Score, Different Overall Negative Responses

Both candidates have the same score. Candidate A has fewer negative responses overall.

Result: Candidate A receives the better merit position.

Scenario 2: Same Score and Same Overall Negative Responses

Because the overall negative responses are equal, the tie moves to Section A.

Result: Candidate A receives the better merit position because Candidate A has fewer negative responses in Section A.

Scenario 3: Tie Continues Through the Sections

Suppose two candidates have the same score and the same number of negative responses overall and in Sections A, B and C.

The criteria are then applied to Section D, followed by Section E if required.

The process does not skip directly to MBBS marks. Each preceding criterion is considered in the specified order.

Scenario 4: Tie Reaches MBBS Aggregate Marks

Suppose Candidate A and Candidate B remain tied after all overall and section-wise negative-response criteria.

Result: Candidate A receives the better merit position because the candidate has the higher aggregate percentage in the MBBS Professional Examinations.

Scenario 5: Tie Reaches Date of Birth

If all previous tie-breaking criteria produce the same outcome, NBEMS uses date of birth.

Result: Candidate A receives the better merit position because Candidate A is older.