National Eligibility cum Entrance Test or NEET-UG. NEET, as it is commonly called, is a national level entrance examination for admission to MBBS/BDS courses in India. The exam was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on May 7th, 2017.
NEET-UG is a single entrance examination for admission to all medical colleges in India except AIIMS and JIPMER. NEET UG replaced the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) and all individual MBBS exams conducted by states or colleges themselves. So far, 15 states have fully joined the NEET regime while some others are still in the process of joining.
It is a centralized test for medical aspirants who wish to study any undergraduate medical course (MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS, BPharm, BVSc) in government or private medical colleges in India. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The exam consists of one paper of 180 minutes duration divided into three sections - Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany & Zoology). Candidates have to attempt all the questions in all the three sections. There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
NEET-UG is a high stakes examination as it is the sole entrance exam for medical colleges in India. The pressure to perform well in the exam is therefore very high.
Candidates who wish to take admission into MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS, BPharm or BVSc courses in any medical college across India have to first clear NEET-UG exam.
The NEET-UG exam is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper based).
NEET-UG is a national level entrance exam conducted by the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NTA) for admission to MBBS/BDS courses in India. NEET UG is the single medical entrance examination in India for admission to more than 66,000 MBBS and BDS seats across the country.
The exam is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper based) and consists of 180 objective type questions from Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB). The total duration of the exam is 3 hours and candidates are allotted 4 marks for each correct answer. There is -1 negative marking for incorrect answers.
In May 2013, the Supreme Court of India declared NEET as unconstitutional and illegal. The court ruled that each state could hold their own medical entrance examinations or continue with their admission process for medical colleges until a suitable replacement for NEET was found.
In 2016, the Supreme Court revived NEET after overturning its earlier ruling. The court held that while states are free to hold their own medical entrance examinations, they must be based on the syllabus prescribed by the Medical Council of India and must be approved by the central government.
As of 2017, NEET is the only medical entrance examination in India. It is mandatory for all students seeking admission to any medical college in India, whether government-run or private.
The main reasons for the introduction of NEET-UG were:
- To have a single entrance examination for all medical colleges in India. This would bring in more transparency and fairness in the admission process.
- To end the concept of multiple medical entrance examinations which put an extra burden on students as well as parents.
- To ensure that all medical colleges in India follow a uniform admission process.
- To free up students from the burden of appearing for multiple entrance examinations.
- To make the admission process more efficient and streamlined.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to prepare for NEET-UG will vary depending on each individual's strengths and weaknesses. However, some tips on how to prepare for NEET-UG include:
- Understand the exam format and syllabus inside out, so that you know what to expect on test day.
- Use past papers and mock exams to familiarise yourself with the types of questions that are likely to come up, and practise timing yourself so that you can complete the exam within the allotted time limit.
- Make sure you revise all your core subjects thoroughly, as these are likely to feature heavily in the exam. In particular, focus on revision methods that work well for you personally – whether that means making use of flashcards, listening to audio recordings or working through practice questions with a tutor.
- Get plenty of rest and exercise in the lead-up to the exam, as both of these things can help improve your focus and concentration on the day.
As the sole medical entrance examination in India, NEET-UG is the gateway to admission into any MBBS/BDS course in any medical college across the country.
In addition, NEET-UG:
- Helps to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to secure a place in a medical college, regardless of their socio-economic background.
- Makes the admission process more efficient and streamlined.
- Reduces the burden on students of appearing for multiple entrance examinations.
- Finally, it allows students to focus on their studies rather than worrying about the admission process.
- In addition, NEET-UG also helps to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to secure a place in a medical college, regardless of their socio-economic background.
While NEET-UG has many benefits, there are also some drawbacks that should be considered. These include:
- The high stakes nature of the exam can add to the pressure and stress levels of students.
- There is a risk that private colleges may start favouring students who can afford to pay higher fees, rather than those who have secured the highest marks in the exam.
- The syllabus for NEET-UG is very vast, which gives an advantage to students from coaching institutes who have access to better resources and facilities.
- The exam pattern favours students who are strong in rote learning, rather than those who have a deeper understanding of the concepts.
- There is a lack of transparency in the marking and evaluation process, which can lead to disappointment and frustration among students who do not get the results they were expecting.
- The exam can be a source of anxiety and stress for both students and their families, which can have a negative impact on their mental health and well-being.
Candidates who wish to take admission into MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS, BPharm or BVSc courses in any medical college across India have to first clear NEET-UG exam.
Aspirants who wish to take admission into any undergraduate medical course (MBBS/BDS) in India, AIIMS and JIPMER are required to take NEET-UG exam.
While NEET-UG is a national level examination, it is conducted at various centres across the country. The NTA releases a list of all the exam centres on their official website.
Some of the major cities where NEET-UG is conducted include:
1) Delhi
2) Mumbai
3) Chennai
4) Kolkata
5) Bengaluru
6) Hyderabad
7) Pune
NEET Colleges List 2018 - 2019
A total of 619 medical colleges are affiliated to the Medical Council of India (MCI) from where 40,000-45,000 MBBS and BDS seats are filled through NEET every year. There are about 5000 private colleges in India which offer medical courses but these colleges do not accept NEET scores for admission.
Medical Colleges
NEET Syllabus 2024
Subject |
Syllabus |
Physics |
Click here to get syllabus of NEET Physics |
Chemistry |
Click here to get syllabus of NEET Chemistry |
Biology |
Click here to get syllabus of NEET Biology |