Introduction of NEET
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a highly competitive entrance examination in India, primarily for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical and dental courses such as MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH programs in both government and private institutions. Conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET serves as the primary gateway for medical education in the country.
Eligibility Criteria for NEET:
The eligibility criteria for the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) are specified by the National Testing Agency (NTA). These criteria outline the academic qualifications, age limit, and other essential requirements that candidates must fulfill to appear for the exam.
1. Nationality
- Indian citizens.
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Foreign Nationals are also eligible to apply.
2. Age Limit
- Minimum Age: Candidates must have completed 17 years of age as of December 31 of the year of admission.
- Maximum Age: There is no upper age limit as per recent updates. However, this is subject to changes based on court rulings.
3. Educational Qualifications
- Subjects Required: Candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects in their Class 12 or equivalent.
- Minimum Marks Required:
- General Category: A minimum of 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
- OBC/SC/ST Categories: A minimum of 40% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
- PwD Category: A minimum of 45% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
- Candidates appearing for their Class 12 exams are also eligible to apply, provided they fulfill the criteria at the time of admission.
4. Number of Attempts
- There is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET. Candidates can appear as many times as they wish, provided they meet the age and educational criteria.
5. Eligibility for State Quotas
- To claim seats under state quota or domicile quotas, candidates must fulfill the respective state’s eligibility requirements, including domicile certificates or proof of residence.
6. Other Requirements
- Candidates from open schools or private schools are eligible, subject to fulfilling NTA’s guidelines.
- Biology/Biotechnology as an additional subject in Class 12 is acceptable based on NTA’s current guidelines.
NEET Qualification Criteria
1. Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have passed or be appearing in their Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
- The following subjects are mandatory:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology/Biotechnology
- English (as a core subject)
2. Minimum Marks Requirement
The required percentage in Class 12 varies based on the candidate’s category:
Category |
Minimum Aggregate Marks in PCB |
General |
50% |
OBC/SC/ST |
40% |
PwD (General) |
45% |
- Aggregate Marks: The percentage is calculated based on marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
3. Accepted Boards and Qualifications
- Students must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent from:
- State Boards (e.g., CBSE, ICSE, or any state board).
- Open/Distance Learning: Accepted if recognized by the relevant authorities, subject to NTA guidelines.
- Foreign Education: Students with foreign qualifications must submit equivalence certificates from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
4. Candidates Appearing for Class 12 Exams
- Students who are appearing in their Class 12 board exams in the same year as NEET are also eligible to apply.
- Such candidates must produce proof of eligibility (pass certificate) at the time of admission.
Additional Points to Note
- Biology as an Additional Subject: Candidates who studied Biology/Biotechnology as an additional subject in Class 12 are eligible, based on NTA’s rules.
- The qualification requirements also apply for candidates aiming for state quota or All India Quota (AIQ) medical seats.
Minimum Marks Requirement for NEET Eligibility
The minimum marks required to qualify for the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) are crucial for candidates aiming to secure a seat in medical and dental colleges across India. These marks are determined based on the candidate’s performance in their Class 12 board exams in core science subjects.
1. Class 12 Aggregate Marks in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology):
Category |
Minimum Aggregate Marks |
General (UR) |
50% |
OBC/SC/ST |
40% |
PwD (General) |
45% |
- Aggregate Calculation: The percentage is calculated based on the combined marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
- Example Calculation: If a general category student scores 65 in Physics, 70 in Chemistry, and 75 in Biology, the aggregate percentage would be:
(65+70+75)/300×100=70(65 + 70 + 75) / 300 \times 100 = 70%(65+70+75)/300×100=70
2. Minimum Qualifying Marks in NEET Exam:
- Candidates also need to meet the minimum qualifying percentile in the NEET exam itself:
- General Category: 50th percentile
- OBC/SC/ST: 40th percentile
- PwD (General): 45th percentile
These percentiles correspond to the cutoff scores, which vary each year based on the exam difficulty and number of candidates.
Step-by-Step NEET Exam Process
The NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) process is a structured procedure designed to help aspiring medical and dental students secure admissions in undergraduate programs like MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related fields. Below is a detailed breakdown of the NEET exam process:
1. Registration
- Visit the official NEET website (nta.ac.in or neet.nta.nic.in).
- Fill in personal details (name, date of birth, category, etc.), academic qualifications, and communication details.
- Create a login ID and password.
- Pay the application fee (category-specific) via online modes such as credit/debit card, UPI, or net banking.
2. Filling the Application Form
- Upload scanned copies of required documents:
- Recent passport-sized photograph.
- Signature.
- Class 10 and 12 certificates.
- Caste or PwD certificate (if applicable).
- Verify details carefully before submitting.
3. Admit Card Download
- Admit cards are released on the official NEET website a few weeks before the exam.
- Candidates must download and print the admit card, which contains details like:
- Exam date, time, and center.
- Candidate’s roll number and photo.
- Carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam center.
4. Exam Day Guidelines
- Reach the exam center as per the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
- Carry only the required items:
- Admit card.
- Photo ID (e.g., Aadhar card, PAN card, or passport).
- Passport-size photo.
- Follow the dress code (simple clothing, no metallic items, etc.).
- Complete biometric verification and seating arrangements before the exam starts.
NEET exam pattern presented in a table format for easy understanding:
Section |
Number of Questions |
Type of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Marking Scheme |
Physics |
50 (35 + 15 optional) |
Multiple Choice (MCQs) |
180 |
+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
Chemistry |
50 (35 + 15 optional) |
Multiple Choice (MCQs) |
180 |
+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
Biology |
100 (50 + 50 optional) |
Multiple Choice (MCQs) |
360 |
+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
Total |
200 (180 to attempt) |
Multiple Choice (MCQs) |
720 |
+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
Key Points About the Exam Pattern:
- Mode of Exam: Pen-and-paper-based (offline).
- Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes.
- Question Distribution:
- Physics and Chemistry each have 35 mandatory questions and 15 optional questions (choose 10).
- Biology has 50 mandatory questions and 50 optional questions (choose 10).
- Language Options: The exam is offered in 13 languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and others.
- Total Marks: 720 marks (4 marks per correct answer, -1 for each incorrect answer).
- Difficulty Level: Questions are based on the Class 11 and 12 NCERT syllabus.
Step-by-Step NEET Application Process
The NEET application process involves several steps, from registering on the official website to submitting the application fee. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process
1. Registration
- Visit the official NEET website: neet.nta.nic.in.
- Click on “New Registration” and create an account.
- Provide the following details:
- Name (as per Aadhaar or official documents).
- Date of Birth.
- Mobile number and email ID (ensure these are active for OTPs and notifications).
- Generate a unique application number and password.
2. Filling the Application Form
- Log in using your application number and password.
- Fill in personal and academic details:
- Personal Details: Name, gender, nationality, category, and Aadhaar/ID details.
- Academic Details: Class 10 and Class 12 details, including marks, year of passing, and school board.
- Choose the language of the question paper and preferred exam cities (up to four options).
3. Upload Required Documents
- Upload scanned copies of the following as per the specified dimensions and formats:
- Passport-size Photograph: 10 KB–200 KB (JPG/JPEG).
- Signature: 4 KB–30 KB (JPG/JPEG).
- Left-hand Thumb Impression (if required): 10 KB–50 KB (JPG/JPEG).
- Category Certificate (if applicable): 50 KB–300 KB (PDF).
- PwD Certificate (if applicable): 50 KB–300 KB (PDF).
- Ensure the images are clear and meet the size requirements.
4. Application Fee Payment
- Pay the application fee online using:
- Debit/Credit Card.
- UPI or Net Banking.
- Fee structure (as per category):
Category |
Application Fee (INR) |
General/Unreserved |
₹1,700 |
General-EWS/OBC-NCL |
₹1,600 |
SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender |
₹1,000 |
Foreign Nationals |
₹9,500 |
- Once the fee is paid, a confirmation receipt will be generated.
5. Final Submission
- Review all the details entered in the application form carefully.
- After verifying, submit the application form.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Important Documents Required
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Signature in black/blue ink on white paper.
- Class 10 certificate or equivalent (for date of birth proof).
- Class 12 certificate (if available; can be submitted later if appearing).
- Caste or category certificate (if applicable).
- PwD certificate (if applicable).
Important Notes
- Keep a copy of the confirmation page and fee receipt.
- Use an active email ID and mobile number for updates.
- Ensure all details match official documents to avoid discrepancies during verification.
Tips for NEET Preparation
- Focus on the NCERT textbooks, as they cover the entire syllabus comprehensively.
- Make a topic-wise plan to cover all subjects systematically.
- Practice previous year’s question papers and take mock tests.
- Revise key concepts and formulas frequently.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the cornerstone for medical aspirants in India, offering a fair and transparent platform to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, and allied health sciences. It plays a pivotal role in standardizing the admission process and ensuring merit-based selections for both government and private institutions.
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