1. Overview of NEET-UG
- Full Name: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate
- Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Purpose: NEET-UG is the mandatory national-level medical entrance exam for admission to:
- MBBS (Allopathic Medicine)
- BDS (Dental)
- BAMS (Ayurveda)
- BHMS (Homeopathy)
- BUMS (Unani)
- Other AYUSH courses in India
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen-and-Paper)
- Frequency: Once a year
- Languages: 13 languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese, Punjabi, Urdu, and Malayalam
2. Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Must have completed 10+2 or equivalent with:
- Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology as mandatory subjects
- Earlier minimum PCB percentage (50% general / 40% reserved) is no longer required as per NCISM 2025 for AYUSH courses.
- Students appearing in the 12th board exams are also eligible to apply.
Age Limit
- Minimum: 17 years as of 31st December of admission year
- Maximum: 25 years for general candidates
- Relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC candidates
Nationality
- Indian nationals
- Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and foreign nationals
3. Exam Pattern
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Offline (OMR answer sheet) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 200 questions (180 to be attempted) |
| Subjects & Distribution | Physics – 50, Chemistry – 50, Biology – 100 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer, 0 for unattempted |
| Syllabus | NCERT Class 11 and 12 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology – Botany + Zoology) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to high; focuses on conceptual understanding and application |
Subject-wise Details
- Physics: Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics, Thermodynamics
- Chemistry: Physical Chemistry (moles, thermodynamics), Organic Chemistry (hydrocarbons, biomolecules), Inorganic Chemistry (periodic table, coordination compounds)
- Biology: Genetics, Human Physiology, Plant Physiology, Ecology, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Evolution
4. Application Process
- Registration: Online on NEET-NTA official portal
- Filling the Form: Personal details, educational qualification, category, and exam centre selection
- Uploading Documents: Recent photograph, signature, and category certificate if applicable
- Payment of Fee:
- General: ₹1,600
- OBC/SC/ST/PH: ₹800–₹900
- Payment modes: Debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI
- Submission: After verifying all details, submit the form and download the confirmation page
5. Admit Card
- Released 2–3 weeks before exam
- Downloadable from NTA NEET portal
- Contains: Candidate name, roll number, exam centre, date & time, and important instructions
6. Exam Day Instructions
- Carry Admit Card and valid photo ID
- No electronic gadgets allowed
- Use ballpoint pen to fill OMR sheet
- Follow all COVID-19 or safety guidelines (if applicable)
7. Result Declaration
- NTA releases results online (~1 month after exam)
- Result contains: NEET score, percentile, All India Rank (AIR), category rank
- Cut-offs differ for MBBS, BDS, and BAMS courses
8. Counselling and Admission
UG Counselling Authorities
- All India Quota (AIQ, 15%): Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)
- State Quota (85%): State counselling authorities handle admissions for government & private colleges
For BAMS/AYUSH
- Admission is based on NEET-UG score + counselling
- Private colleges may have management quota seats, but NEET is still mandatory
- Admission rounds usually include:
- Round 1: Allotted based on rank and choice
- Round 2: Mop-up / stray vacancy round
9. NEET-UG Score Validity
- Valid only for the current academic year
- Required for admission to all recognized AYUSH colleges
10. Preparation Tips for Ayurveda Aspirants
- Focus on Biology: 50% of questions are from Biology (Botany & Zoology)
- Refer NCERT Books: Class 11 & 12 for Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Helps understand exam pattern and question type
- Time Management: 3 hours for 180 questions; about 1 minute per question
- Mock Tests: Take regular NEET mock tests to improve speed and accuracy
11. Important Notes
- As per NCISM 2025, NEET-UG is mandatory for BAMS admission
- No other entrance exam is valid for recognized Ayurveda UG admissions in India
- Keep updated with state counselling notifications, as seat allocation may vary