Complete exam reference
NEET-UG — the single entrance exam for all MBBS admissions in India.
Everything a medical aspirant needs: exam pattern, subject-wise syllabus, marking scheme, qualifying cutoffs, a month-by-month preparation timeline, and what happens after the result.
At a glance
What is NEET-UG?
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) is the single gateway to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, and BSc Nursing courses in India.
Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) once a year (typically May or June), NEET-UG is a pen-and-paper OMR-based exam taken by over 2 million candidates annually. The score is used for admission to over 610 MBBS colleges, along with dental, AYUSH, and nursing colleges across the country.
The exam tests knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology) from the NCERT Class 11 and 12 curriculum. It is offered in 13 languages and is mandatory for Indian students seeking MBBS admission both in India and abroad.
National Testing Agency (NTA)
Offline — Pen & Paper (OMR)
Once a year (May / June)
10+2 with PCB + English. Minimum 50% PCB aggregate (General). Age ≥ 17 years.
English, Hindi + 11 regional languages
No limit
Exam structure
Subject-wise question pattern and marking.
The exam has 200 questions (180 to attempt) across 4 subjects. Each subject is split into Section A (35 mandatory) and Section B (15, attempt any 10).
| Subject | Sections | Total Q | Max Marks | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | Section A (35) + B (15) | 50 (35 + 10) | 180 | ~50 min |
| Chemistry | Section A (35) + B (15) | 50 (35 + 10) | 180 | ~50 min |
| Botany | Section A (35) + B (15) | 50 (35 + 10) | 180 | ~50 min |
| Zoology | Section A (35) + B (15) | 50 (35 + 10) | 180 | ~50 min |
| Total | 4 subjects × 2 sections | 180 to attempt | 720 | 200 min |
Marking Scheme
- Correct answer: +4 marks
- ✕ Incorrect answer: –1 mark
- — Unattempted: 0 marks
Key Rules
- Attempt only 10 out of 15 questions in Section B of each subject.
- If more than 10 are attempted in Section B, only the first 10 are evaluated.
- OMR responses are final. No re-checking or re-evaluation.
- Use only a black ballpoint pen provided at the centre.
Subject syllabus
NCERT Class 11 and 12 is the foundation.
The NTA prescribes the syllabus based on the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12. Below is a topic-level summary for each subject.
Physics
Class 11
Physical world and measurement, kinematics, laws of motion, work, energy and power, motion of system of particles and rigid body, gravitation, properties of bulk matter, thermodynamics, behaviour of perfect gas and kinetic theory, oscillations and waves.
Class 12
Electrostatics, current electricity, magnetic effects of current and magnetism, electromagnetic induction and alternating currents, electromagnetic waves, optics, dual nature of matter and radiation, atoms and nuclei, electronic devices, communication systems.
Chemistry
Class 11
Some basic concepts of chemistry, structure of atom, classification of elements and periodicity in properties, chemical bonding and molecular structure, states of matter: gases and liquids, thermodynamics, equilibrium, redox reactions, hydrogen, s-block elements, some p-block elements, organic chemistry — some basic principles and techniques, hydrocarbons, environmental chemistry.
Class 12
Solid state, solutions, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, surface chemistry, general principles and processes of isolation of elements, p-block elements, d and f block elements, coordination compounds, haloalkanes and haloarenes, alcohols, phenols and ethers, aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids, organic compounds containing nitrogen, biomolecules, polymers, chemistry in everyday life.
Biology
Class 11
Diversity in living world, structural organisation in animals and plants, cell structure and function, plant physiology, human physiology.
Class 12
Reproduction, genetics and evolution, biology and human welfare, biotechnology and its applications, ecology and environment.
The above is a topic summary. Candidates must refer to the full NTA NEET-UG syllabus document for detailed sub-topics, which is available on the official NTA NEET website.
Qualifying criteria
Percentile cutoffs for eligibility.
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile needed to be eligible for counselling. It is NOT the college admission cutoff — that varies widely by college and category.
| Category | Minimum Percentile | Approx Marks Range |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th percentile | 715 – 213 |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th percentile | 212 – 177 |
| General – PwD | 45th percentile | 212 – 177 |
| OBC/SC/ST – PwD | 40th percentile | 193 – 177 |
The marks range is indicative and based on historical data. Actual cutoffs vary each year based on exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seat matrix. Qualifying does not guarantee admission — college cutoffs in top institutions are significantly higher.
Preparation plan
A 12-month preparation timeline.
This is an orientation framework. Adjust the pace based on your school schedule, coaching intensity, and mock test performance.
Complete Class 11 NCERT reading for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Build concept clarity — don't rush into problem-solving. Start a subject-wise error log.
Begin Class 12 topics alongside school. Solve NCERT back-exercises. Take one chapter-wise test per week. Review errors and revisit weak areas.
Complete remaining Class 12 syllabus. Begin full-syllabus revision of Class 11. Start taking full-length mock tests every 2 weeks. Analyse performance by subject and topic.
One full mock test per week. Focus on time management — Physics and Chemistry should each take ~50 min. Revisit error log. Solve previous 5 years' NEET question papers under timed conditions.
Two mock tests per week. Prioritise high-weightage topics: Genetics, Ecology, Human Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Electrostatics. Stop learning new topics — focus entirely on revision and test-taking strategy. Relax the day before the exam.
After the exam
Qualifying is step one. Counselling is step two.
Many families misunderstand the sequence. Here is exactly what happens after NEET-UG results are declared.
NTA releases the provisional answer key 7–10 days after the exam. Candidates can challenge answers. The final answer key and result (scorecard with AIR) are released ~4–6 weeks after the exam.
Candidates must register separately on the MCC portal (for AIQ/Deemed/Central institutes) and/or their state counselling portal (for State Quota). Registration involves fee payment, document upload, and choice of quota.
List colleges and courses in order of genuine preference. This is the most important strategic decision in the process. The order affects allotment outcomes across multiple rounds.
MCC and state authorities conduct multiple rounds of allotment based on rank, category, preferences, and seat availability. Results are published online. Candidates must download the allotment letter.
Report to the allotted college within the specified window with original documents, fees, and the allotment letter. Failure to report forfeits the seat, and the candidate may participate in subsequent rounds if eligible.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about NEET-UG.
These answers provide orientation. Always check current NTA bulletins and MCC notices for the latest rules.
How many times is NEET-UG conducted in a year?
NEET-UG is conducted once a year, typically in May or June. There is no second attempt or supplementary exam. Candidates must appear in the single annual examination for that admission session.
Is there negative marking in NEET-UG?
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. This makes strategic question selection important — guessing carries a risk.
What is the minimum qualifying percentile?
General/EWS candidates need the 50th percentile. OBC/SC/ST candidates need the 40th percentile. General-PwD candidates need the 45th percentile. The percentile maps to a marks range that varies each year based on exam difficulty and candidate performance.
Can I take NEET-UG after Class 11?
No. Candidates must have completed or be appearing for Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. Candidates appearing for Class 12 in the same year as NEET-UG are eligible, subject to meeting the qualifying criteria when results are declared.
Is NCERT enough for NEET-UG preparation?
NCERT textbooks form the foundation and the majority of NEET-UG questions are directly or indirectly based on NCERT content, especially for Biology. However, most successful candidates supplement NCERT with reference books for deeper concept clarity, practice questions, and mock tests. NCERT alone may not be sufficient for top ranks in Physics and Chemistry.
How does counselling work after NEET-UG?
After results are declared, qualified candidates must register separately on the MCC portal for All India Quota seats and/or their state counselling portal for state quota seats. Counselling involves registration, document verification, choice filling, seat allotment (in multiple rounds), and reporting to the allotted college. The process typically spans 2-3 months.
What is the difference between qualifying cutoff and admission cutoff?
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile/marks required to be eligible for counselling. The admission cutoff is the actual rank/marks at which a specific college offered admission in a given year. Admission cutoffs are always higher than qualifying cutoffs and vary significantly by college, category, and seat type.
How many attempts are allowed for NEET-UG?
There is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET-UG, subject to the upper age limit (if any) specified in the current NTA information bulletin. Candidates can appear as many times as they wish within the eligibility criteria.
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