In this paper, a neural network tuned controller for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in wind energy conversion system (WECS) is proposed. This technique utilizes radial basis function based neural networks (RBF-NN) and tracks the MPP using duty cycle control. The WECS is based on permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The rectifier output voltage and power are measured and fed into an RBF-NN controller. The MPPT algorithm controls the duty cycle of a DC-DC boost converter to extract the maximum power. The output of the boost converter is tied to the grid using a voltage source inverter (VSI). Unlike conventional methods, MPPT using proposed method does not require knowledge of wind turbine power characteristics, thus minimizes the need for various measuring instruments. The method implemented is also compared with other commonly used MPPT techniques like fuzzy logic control (FLC), perturb & observe (P&O), and back-propagation (BP) based NN. The proposed system provides better results as compared with other relevant results available in the literature. The proposed method is implemented using MATLAB/Simulink and then validated in real-time using digital simulation hardware, OPAL-RT 4510.