What is NEET UG?

NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate) is India’s sole entrance examination for individuals aspiring to pursue careers as doctors, dentists, and practitioners of traditional medicine. This exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and facilitates admission into various programs such as MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, BNYS, B.V.Sc & AH, and some B.Sc Nursing programs across the country.

Think of NEET UG as the "passport to medicine." This nationwide examination serves several important functions:

• It unifies medical admissions under a single, transparent system.
• It ensures merit-based selection for candidates, regardless of their state or region.
• It acts as a mandatory qualifying exam for Indian students who wish to study MBBS abroad.

Evolution of NEET:

Before NEET – The Era of Multiple Medical Exams (Pre-2010)

Every state and private university has its own medical entrance test.

Examples:

• AIPMT (All India Pre-Medical Test) – for central seats.
• State PMTs like UPCPMT, RPMT, MHT-CET, WBJEE (Medical), etc.
• AIIMS MBBS and JIPMER MBBS had separate national-level exams.

Students had to prepare for multiple syllabi, dates, and formats, increasing stress and expense.

Birth of NEET – The Idea of One Nation, One Exam (2010–2013)

• The Medical Council of India (MCI) has proposed a single national entrance test called the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
• Objective: Remove multiple entrance exams, unify the admission process, and reduce student burden.
• In 2012, the Supreme Court stayed the implementation due to opposition from private colleges and states.
• The NEET UG was first conducted in 2013 but was subsequently canceled due to legal challenges.

AIPMT Revival & Return of NEET (2014–2016)

• AIPMT continued as the national-level test till 2015.
• In 2016, the Supreme Court ordered that NEET must replace all other medical entrance exams.
• NEET was conducted in two phases in 2016 (NEET Phase 1 and Phase 2) to accommodate earlier AIPMT takers.

NEET Becomes Mandatory & Mainstream (2017–2019)

From 2017:

• NEET became mandatory for all MBBS/BDS admissions in India.
• Private, deemed, and state colleges all had to use NEET scores.
• No other entrance exam is allowed for MBBS/BDS.

NEET started being used for AYUSH courses (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, etc.).

Foreign MBBS aspirants were required to qualify for NEET as per MCI/NMC guidelines.

Centralization Complete – AIIMS & JIPMER via NEET (2020)

Until 2019, AIIMS and JIPMER had separate, tough entrance exams.

In 2020, the admissions for undergraduate programs at AIIMS and JIPMER were merged with the NEET UG exam.

NEET became the single exam for 100% of medical seats in India, including:

• All India Quota (AIQ)
• State Quota
• Deemed Universities
• Central Institutions (like AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC)
• Private Medical Colleges

NEET 2021–Present: Digital Growth & International Recognition

• Conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency).
• Offered in 13 languages, including Hindi, English, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and more.
• The NEET score is now valid for three years for pursuing MBBS abroad. B.Sc. Nursing admissions also started using NEET scores in select institutes.
• NEET sees 20+ lakh applicants annually, making it India’s largest entrance exam.

Summary: Why NEET Matters Today

• One unified, transparent, and merit-based medical admission process
• Equal opportunity across India, regardless of the state board
• Mandatory for Indian students going abroad for MBBS
• Used for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Veterinary & B.Sc Nursing
• Internationally accepted qualification for global medical universities

Significance of NEET:

NEET's emergence as the primary medical entrance exam signifies a pivotal shift in the medical education landscape, promoting transparency, uniformity, and meritocracy. It simplifies the admission process, empowering students to pursue their medical aspirations with clarity and confidence.

Conclusion:

NEET stands as a beacon of opportunity for aspiring medical professionals, offering a fair and inclusive pathway to esteemed medical institutions across the nation. Its implementation reflects a commitment to excellence and equity in medical education, driving the nation's healthcare sector towards greater heights of quality and accessibility.

NEET UG (Undergraduate) – Complete Guide 2025

The Only Gateway to Becoming a Doctor in India & Abroad

• MBBS (Medicine)
• BDS (Dental)
• AYUSH courses (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, BNYS)
• B.Sc Nursing (in select institutes)
• B.V.Sc & AH (Veterinary)
• And for MBBS abroad (NEET qualification is compulsory)

Who is Eligible for NEET UG 2025?

How to Apply for NEET UG 2025? – Step-by-Step Guide

1. Visit the official website: https://neet.nta.nic.in
2. Click on “New Registration.”
   • Enter personal details
   • Create password & security pin
3. Fill Application Form
   • Academic info, exam center choice, medium of the question paper
4. Upload Documents
   • Photograph (passport size + postcard size)
   • Signature
   • Class 10 & 12 certificates (if available)
   • Thumb impression (as per notification)
   • Category/PwD/Domicile/Income certificate (if applicable)
5. Pay Application Fee
6. Download Confirmation Page

All details must match official documents. Any mistake may lead to disqualification.

NEET UG 2025 Application Fee (Category-Wise)

Mode of Payment: Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Wallet

NEET UG 2025 – Exam Pattern

• +4 for every correct answer
• -1 for every wrong answer
• 0 for unanswered questions

NEET Exam Medium

Available in 13 languages:

• Hindi
• English
• Urdu
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Kannada
• Bengali
• Assamese
• Marathi
• Gujarati
• Malayalam
• Punjabi
• Odia

NEET Score Validity

What After NEET UG?

You become eligible for:

• All India Quota (AIQ) counseling – 15% seats
• State Quota counseling – 85% seats
• Deemed/Private Universities
• Central Universities (DU, BHU, AMU)
• AFMC Pune (via NEET + screening)
• MBBS Abroad (after MCI/NMC eligibility)

Documents Needed for Application

• Passport-size & postcard-size photo
• Scanned signature
• Class 10 & 12 certificates
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS if applicable)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Government-issued ID (Aadhar/Passport/Driving License, etc.)

Summary: Why NEET UG is Important

• The only valid medical entrance test in India
• Mandatory even for MBBS abroad
• Accepted by AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC, ESIC
• Ensures fair & transparent admission across India

Overview of MBBS Medical Colleges in India (2024)

• Total Medical Colleges: Approximately 706
• Total MBBS Seats: Around 108,915

Government Medical Colleges

• Number of Colleges: Approximately 349
• Total MBBS Seats: Around 50,677

Private Medical Colleges

• Number of Colleges: Approximately 282
• Total MBBS Seats: Around 45,724

Deemed Universities

• Number of Colleges: Approximately 51
• Total MBBS Seats: Around 9,950

Overview of BAMS Medical Colleges in India (2024)

• Total Medical Colleges: Approximately 495
• Total BAMS Seats: Around 31,874

Government Medical Colleges

• Number of Colleges: Approximately 81
• Total BAMS Seats: Around 4,276

Private Medical Colleges

• Number of Colleges: Approximately 414
• Total BAMS Seats: Around 24,880

Deemed Universities

• Number of Colleges: Approximately 9
• Total BAMS Seats: Around 820

Other Institutions

• National Institutes of Ayurveda (e.g., Jaipur)
• Number of Institutes: 1
• Total BAMS Seats: Around 350

Central Universities & Government-Aided Colleges

• Colleges Combined: ~15
• Total BAMS Seats: Around 1,948