A complete guide to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG). Understand the paper structure, 720-mark layout, core eligibility rules, and seat allocation system for medical admissions in India.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) is India’s uniform nationwide entrance exam for admission to undergraduate medical programs, including MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, BSMS, and BHMS across all government, private, central, and deemed institutions (including AIIMS and JIPMER). Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the test features 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions worth 720 marks, testing candidate proficiency across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany & Zoology).
Verified against National Medical Commission (NMC) statutes, NTA official test directives, and Ministry of Health regulatory guidelines.
Understanding the core parameters of NEET UG is essential before planning your preparation timeline. Below is the structural layout of the examination:
| Exam Parameter | Details & Rules |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) — NEET UG |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) under NMC guidelines |
| Course Coverage | MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, BSMS, BHMS & B.Sc. Nursing |
| Total Questions | 180 Compulsory MCQs (Physics: 45, Chemistry: 45, Biology: 90) |
| Total Marks | 720 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct response | -1 for incorrect response | 0 for unattempted |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours (180 minutes) |
| Language Options | 13 Languages (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu) |
Enacted under Section 14 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, NEET UG serves as the sole gateway for undergraduate medical seats nationwide. It eliminated separate state-level medical entrance tests and institution-specific exams (such as AIIMS MBBS entrance and JIPMER MBBS entrance), establishing a single merit-based entry system.
Additionally, NEET UG qualification is required for Indian citizens or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) intending to pursue undergraduate medical degrees in foreign universities (under NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Regulations).
The 720-mark NEET UG exam allocates equal weightage (50%) to Biology and the combined Physical Sciences (Physics & Chemistry):
45 compulsory questions testing Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Thermodynamics, Optics, and Modern Physics.
45 compulsory questions covering Physical Chemistry calculations, Inorganic trends, and Organic reaction mechanisms.
90 compulsory questions divided equally between Botany (45 questions) and Zoology (45 questions) focusing on NCERT conceptual clarity.
Following result declaration, NTA compiles an All India Rank (AIR) list. Medical seats are then allocated through two parallel counselling structures:
Managed nationally by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), covering 15% government college seats across states, 100% seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities (AMU, BHU, DU), and Deemed Universities.
Managed by respective State Medical Counselling Authorities for state domicile candidates across 85% government seats and 100% private state medical colleges.
NEET UG stands for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate). It is a national-level single entrance examination in India for admission into undergraduate medical, dental, AYUSH, and allied healthcare programs.
