NEET UG Counselling 2026: Nadda Unveils Major Student-Friendly Reforms After Protests

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has rolled out sweeping, student-friendly reforms for NEET UG Counselling 2026, aiming to streamline the often-arduous process after a critical review meeting on Wednesday. These significant changes, which include one-time physical reporting and online document verification, directly address long-standing student grievances and come on the heels of widespread protests and a high-profile question paper leak controversy that rocked the national medical entrance exam. The core of these reforms tackles persistent issues like the need for multiple college visits, a major cause of financial and logistical stress for aspirants. Now, students opting to 'float' their seat for an upgrade can complete provisional admission and document verification online, while those choosing to 'freeze' their choice will undergo one-time physical reporting after the third round. Additionally, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has introduced online resignation, allowing candidates to surrender seats digitally, and fully digitized admissions for the NRI category. Critically, accessibility for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) has been significantly boosted, with assessment centres increasing from 16 to 61 and new National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines introducing an 'Eligibility Certificate' based on functional assessment, alongside an Appellate Disability Assessment Board. This move is particularly impactful given the recent NEET UG paper leak and subsequent re-examination, which sparked a national debate and even led to the resignation of then-Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. With the NEET UG 2026 counselling schedule expected shortly, these technology-driven, student-centric measures by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are poised to make the admission journey more transparent, efficient, and equitable for millions of aspiring medical professionals. The government has also set up a 24/7 toll-free helpline and an email-based grievance redressal system to support candidates, signaling a strong commitment to addressing student concerns proactively. This push for systemic reform highlights a broader effort to restore faith in India's competitive examination system.