The age of candidates would be included as one of the criteria during the medical admission process based on the scores of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), 2021, if their scores are tied. This was conveyed by the National Testing Agency in its latest notification ahead of the counselling and seat allotment phases following the publication of the results.
The counselling for medical seats would be based on this tie-breaker policy.
The tie-breaker norms that were followed in the previous years to determine the ranks of the candidates who had scored the same marks were:
» The candidate who scored higher (percentile score) for Biology would be considered first over other candidates.
» If the candidates still have the same score, then the candidate who scores the most in Chemistry would be ranked higher.
» In case the candidates have been able to score the same marks in both Biology and Chemistry, then the candidate with the least number of incorrect answers would be given the rank above others.
» Candidates who are older would be given preference over the younger candidates.
However, the fourth point related to the age factor wasn’t included in this year’s tie-breaker policy in the brochure for the NEET-UG 2021. That is the reason why three candidates have shared first rank this year as per the results published a few days ago.
Candidates have shared ranks in other spots too. The age factor has been included in the tie-breaker policy in the latest notification, after realising the practical difficulties that may arise during the counselling sessions and the admission process.
Instead of ‘All India Rank for Counselling’, a new field titled ‘NEET All-India Rank’ has been included.
Interested candidates may download their score cards again.