Complete exam reference
NEET-PG — the single gateway to MD, MS, and DNB seats.
Everything an MBBS graduate needs: exam pattern, subject coverage, marking scheme, eligibility, registration process, preparation strategy, and what counselling looks like after the result.
At a glance
What is NEET-PG?
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate) is the single entrance examination for admission to MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB courses across all medical colleges in India.
Conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), NEET-PG is a computer-based test taken annually by over 200,000 medical graduates. The score is used for All India 50% Quota seats, state quota seats, deemed university seats, and DNB (Diplomate of National Board) admissions.
The exam covers all 19 subjects from the MBBS curriculum — pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical — making it one of the broadest postgraduate entrance examinations in the world. It is designed to test clinical knowledge, diagnostic reasoning, and applied medical concepts.
NBEMS
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Once a year
3 hours 30 min (210 min)
All 19 MBBS subjects
No limit
Exam structure
200 questions. 800 marks. 210 minutes.
Unlike NEET-UG, NEET-PG has no sectional division. All 200 questions are presented in a single block covering all MBBS subjects in randomised order.
200
Multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer. No sectional time limits — candidates manage their own pace across all 200 questions.
800 marks
Each question carries 4 marks. Negative marking of 1 mark per incorrect answer. No marks deducted for unattempted questions. There is no sectional or overall qualifying cutoff score.
210 minutes
3 hours and 30 minutes for the full exam. Approximately 1 minute per question. Time management is critical — clinical questions often require more reading and reasoning time.
Marking Scheme
- Correct: +4 marks
- ✕ Incorrect: –1 mark
- — Unattempted: 0 marks
Subjects covered
All 19 MBBS subjects. No exceptions.
NEET-PG draws from the complete MBBS curriculum. The distribution of questions across subjects varies each year and is not published in advance by NBEMS.
Pre-clinical
Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
Para-clinical
Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM)
Clinical
General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, ENT (Otorhinolaryngology), Anaesthesiology, Radiology, Dermatology, Psychiatry
Clinical emphasis
NEET-PG increasingly tests clinical application rather than pure recall. Questions often present a clinical scenario and ask for the next step in management, the most likely diagnosis, or the investigation of choice. Recent exams have emphasised Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Radiology.
Who can apply
Three eligibility requirements.
NBEMS states the eligibility criteria clearly in the information bulletin. Every candidate must satisfy all three conditions by the cutoff date.
MBBS qualification
A recognised MBBS degree or provisional pass certificate from an institution recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Foreign medical graduates must have passed the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) or the NExT screening test, as applicable.
Internship completion
Completion of the 1-year compulsory rotatory internship on or before the cut-off date specified in the current NBEMS information bulletin. Candidates completing their internship after the cut-off date are ineligible for that session.
Registration
Permanent or provisional registration with the NMC or the relevant State Medical Council. The registration certificate must be valid at the time of application and counselling.
Preparation strategy
A focused approach for a broad exam.
Most MBBS graduates prepare while completing their internship. This timeline assumes 6–8 months of dedicated preparation alongside clinical duties.
Take a baseline mock test. Identify weak subjects. Build a subject-wise study schedule. Gather standard textbooks and question banks. Join a test series.
Cover high-yield clinical subjects: Medicine, Surgery, Obs-Gyn, Paediatrics. Then move to para-clinical: Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, PSM. Study one subject thoroughly before moving to the next.
Cover Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry. Begin subject-wise tests alongside revision. Start full-length mock tests every 2 weeks. Build speed — aim for 1 question per 45–50 seconds.
Two full-length mock tests per week. Focus on weak areas identified by mock analysis. Review high-yield image-based questions (Radiology, Dermatology, Pathology slides, ECG, instruments). Revise previous year question papers.
After the exam
What happens after the NEET-PG result.
The path from NEET-PG score to a confirmed PG seat involves multiple counselling rounds. Understanding the sequence prevents missed opportunities.
NBEMS declares the result ~3–4 weeks after the exam. The scorecard includes the overall score (out of 800) and the All India Rank (AIR). This rank is used for both AIQ and state counselling.
Register on the MCC portal for All India 50% Quota, deemed university, and central institute seats. Simultaneously register on your state counselling portal for state quota seats. Both run in parallel with different schedules.
This is the most consequential decision. Order specialties and colleges based on genuine preference, not just rank. Consider clinical exposure, faculty, hospital load, location, bond conditions, and long-term career goals.
MCC typically conducts 4 rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up, and Stray Vacancy). State counselling follows a similar multi-round structure. Candidates can upgrade in subsequent rounds if a higher-preference seat becomes available.
Report to the allotted institution within the specified window with original documents and fees. Failure to report forfeits the seat. Candidates holding a Round 2 seat who do not join are barred from further rounds and may face a penalty.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about NEET-PG.
These answers provide orientation. Always check current NBEMS bulletins and MCC notices for the latest rules.
How many times is NEET-PG conducted in a year?
NEET-PG is conducted once a year by NBEMS. There is no supplementary or second attempt. Candidates who do not appear or do not qualify must wait for the next annual examination cycle.
Is there negative marking in NEET-PG?
Yes. Each correct answer earns 4 marks, and each incorrect answer results in a deduction of 1 mark. Unattempted questions do not attract any penalty. There is no sectional cutoff — the overall score determines the rank.
What is the qualifying cutoff for NEET-PG?
General/EWS candidates need the 50th percentile. SC/ST/OBC candidates need the 40th percentile. General-PwD candidates need the 45th percentile. The exact marks corresponding to these percentiles vary each year based on exam difficulty and candidate performance.
Is NEET-PG mandatory for DNB admissions?
Yes. NEET-PG is the single entrance examination for MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB (Diplomate of National Board) courses across all institutions in India. DNB seats are also allotted through MCC counselling based on NEET-PG rank.
How should I prepare for NEET-PG during internship?
Most candidates prepare alongside a rotating internship. A structured approach includes: taking a baseline mock test early, building a subject-wise schedule, focusing on high-yield clinical subjects first (Medicine, Surgery, Obs-Gyn, Paediatrics), using a test series for regular assessment, and dedicating the final 2 months to full-length mocks and revision. Many candidates study 4-6 hours daily during internship, increasing in the final months.
How does counselling work after NEET-PG?
After results, candidates register on the MCC portal (for All India 50% Quota, deemed, and central institutes) and their state counselling portal (for state quota). Counselling involves registration, choice filling (specialty + college preferences), and multiple rounds of seat allotment. The process includes Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up, and Stray Vacancy rounds. Candidates can upgrade in subsequent rounds.
What specialties can I get with my rank?
There is no fixed rank-to-specialty mapping. Closing ranks vary significantly each year based on: the number of candidates, exam difficulty, seat matrix changes, specialty demand trends, and reservation policies. Historical closing ranks provide a rough reference but are not predictive. Counselling guidance helps interpret your rank in the context of the current counselling cycle.
Can I get admission without NEET-PG?
No. NEET-PG is mandatory for admission to all postgraduate medical courses (MD, MS, PG Diploma, DNB) in India, including government colleges, private colleges, deemed universities, and DNB programmes. There are no alternative entrance exams. Foreign medical graduates seeking PG admission in India must also qualify NEET-PG.
Planning your PG specialty?
Bring your NEET-PG score and specialty preferences. We will map the programmes that fit.
One-to-one PG admission counselling covering specialty choice, programme comparison, bond analysis, and round-by-round decision support.