National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate

• The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the sole entrance test for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Veterinary, and other medical/paramedical courses in India
• NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
• It is a premier, specialist, autonomous and self-sustained testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for admission/fellowship in higher educational institutions offering medical sciences also.
• It assesses the competence of candidates for admissions (recruitment also) which is a prime challenge in terms of matching with research based international standards, efficiency, transparency, and error-free delivery of services.
• The National Testing Agency is entrusted to address all such issues using best in every field, from test preparation, to test delivery and to test marking.
• The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the most important medical entrance examination in India with approximately 16 lakh test-takers and is expected to be held in 155 cities at 3843 exam centers. 
• NEET Registration forms are expected to be released anytime soon in the second week of March.
• NEET will be conducted twice a year from this session
• It may be noted that AIIMS and JIPMER MBBS exams have been discontinued, and now the admission to both these institutes also happens through NEET.

Courses Offered

List of Courses Under NEET-UG 

Exam Highlights

• As per the exam pattern of NEET 2020, the NEET question paper will comprise of three sections namely Physics, Chemistry and Biology, comprising of 45, 45 and 90 questions respectively. 

Marking scheme in NEET exam pattern 

• Each correct answer will be awarded four marks.
• One mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
• No mark will be deducted for the questions which have not been answered.
• Questions that have two or more responses marked on the OMR sheet will be considered as incorrect and one mark will be deducted for them.

Important points to remember while marking the OMR sheet

• Answers shall be marked using a ballpoint pen which will be provided in the examination hall.
• Changing of answers on the OMR sheet is not permitted.
• Erasing/ obliterating any information printed on the OMR sheet is a punishable offence.
• Rough work should be made on the test booklet only.
• The candidate must not forget to mark the test booklet code on the OMR sheet.

Language options in the exam pattern of NEET 

Important points to remember while choosing the medium of NEET :

• The medium of the question paper shall be selected in the NEET application form. The language chosen once cannot be changed.
• Candidates who have opted for English as a medium will be provided with the Test Booklet in the English language only.
• Candidates opting for any other language will be provided with a Bilingual Test Booklet, their selected language preference, and English.
• English version of the NEET question paper shall be treated as final in case of any ambiguity in translation of any of the questions.

Breakdown

• NEET application form is expected to be released online by NTA on its official website anytime soon.
• The entire process of registration will be online including the application form of NEET.
• Candidates looking to apply for the national level examination will have to register themselves first on the official website of NTA NEET to gain access to the application forms. 
• To complete the registration process, candidates will have to provide a valid email ID and mobile number.
• The system will generate an `application ID` for each candidate.
• They can set their own passwords during the NEET registration process. Using these credentials, candidates will be able to fill the NEET application form online. 
• NTA is likely to release an offline application form of NEET for the residents of Kashmir valley, Leh, and Kargil, like the previous year.
• Applicants must note that this provision will be made available for the residents of the Kashmir valley, Kargil, and Leh only.
• Applicants from all other states will have to fill the NEET application form in the online mode only. 
• NEET is expected to be held tentatively in the third week of June. 
• After successful completion of the NEET application form, candidates are advised to save and print it for future reference.
• NTA will give the candidates an opportunity to make changes in the NEET application form through a correction window.
• This facility will be available for a limited time only and a few important details can be modified using it.
• Thus, it is important to fill the application form of NEET carefully.

What to keep ready before applying for NEET ?

• Since the entire registration process for NEET is online, candidates are advised to keep the following documents ready before filling the application to avoid any last-minute hassles.
• NEET application form documents required

How to fill the NEET application form ?

• Step 1: Registration
  • Go to the official website of NTA NEET
  • Click on “New Registration”
  • Enter the following details
    • Candidate’s Name
    • Mother’s name
    • Father’s name
    • Date of birth
    • Category
    • Gender
    • Nationality
    • Persons with Disability
    • Identification Type
    • Identification Number
    • Mobile number
    • Email Id
  • Enter the captcha
  • Click on “Preview and Next”
  • Check the information provided and click on “Next”
  • Set a password and select a security question
  • Note these for future reference
  • Click on “OTP Verification”
  • You will receive an OTP on the registered mobile number
  • Enter OTP in the space provided
  • Click on “Submit”
  • A provisional application number will be displayed on the screen
  • Note down the application number for future reference
• Step 2: Apply online for NEET
  • Click on “Click here to login”
  • Login using the application number and password
  • The NEET application will open on your screen
  • Details entered during the registration process will be pre-filled in the application and cannot be changed
  • The form is divided into twelve sections, fill in the following details:

Check all the details carefully as they cannot be changed after the final submission of the NEET application form .

• To submit the duly checked application form, click on “Yes, please do” on the confirmation pop-up.

• Step 3: Upload scanned images
  • Click on “Upload your recent photograph and signature”
  • Select the files to be uploaded
  • Click on “Next”
• Step 4: Make Payment
  • Select the desired mode of payment
• Step 5: Print Confirmation
• Save and print the filled application form for NEET along with the confirmation slip.

NEET application form correction window

• NTA gives candidates an option to change certain fields through the correction window of NEET application form.
• The correction window is expected to be activated in the last week of January and is expected to remain functional up to the second week of February.
• This is a one-time facility only and corrections made using this window will be permanent.
• Only a few fields can be changed using the NEET application form correction window.
• Candidates are advised to fill the form carefully in the first attempt and not rely on the correction window.
• Fields that can be changed in the application form of NEET using the correction window
  • Personal details: Name, date of birth, father’s/mother’s name, gender, eligibility for 15% AIQ, ID card details, nationality, birthplace, the medium of question paper
  • Academic details Class 10 and Class 12: board name, name of school/college/institution/university, year of passing, percentage of marks obtained
  • Academic details Class 12: board name, school name & address, place, school location details, qualifying examination code, passing year, percentage of marks obtained, roll number
  • Contact details: Permanent, correspondence address, and contact details
  • Images: passport-sized photograph, signature, postcard-sized photograph, thumb impression, and the mark sheet of class 10
  • Exam centres (was available last year)

How to use the NEET correction window ?        

• Go to the official website of NTA NEET
• Login using the application number and password
• Click on “Click here for correction in NEET Application Form”
• The filled application form of NEET will be displayed on the screen and candidates can edit the fields.
• Click on `Preview and Submit`
• An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number
• Enter the OTP in the space provided
• Click on `Final Submit`
• A warning pops-up on the screen
• If you are satisfied with the corrections made, click on `Please do`
• The correction slip of NEET application form will be display on the screen
• Save and print the correction slip for future reference.

Documents to be retained till NEET admissions are over

• Printout of the confirmation page
• Receipt for the payment of application fees
• 6 - 8 copies of the photograph uploaded

Neet Application Fee Structure

NEET 2020 analysis helps understand the difficulty level of the question paper and helps predict the cutoffs for that year. Candidates can find the section-wise distribution of questions in the exam analysis of NEET. Many premiere institutions known for NEET coaching release the analysis of the question paper after the examination is conducted. In this context, Edunews contacted the professionals in medical science who gave their own observations objectively which might help the takers of the examination as a tip to come out of the hurdles.

As per the experts, NEET 2020 question paper was of moderate difficulty level. Students who wrote the examination found the Physics section to be the most difficult. The Chemistry section of the NEET question paper 2020 was easy and candidates could score well in this section. The biology section of NEET 2020 was the easiest section in the question paper. 

Physics

• Questions in Physics comprised 45 questions and were dominated by questions from Electricity, Modern Physics and Mechanics together comprised 65 percent of the Physics section.
• According to experts, about 55% of the questions were easy, 36% of the questions were moderately difficult and 9% of the questions were difficult. 
• Keeping this issue in mind, experts feel that the question paper relating to Physics was challenging compared to the preceding year.

Chemistry

• The chemistry section of the NEET question paper 2020 was dominated by NCERT based questions.
• The 45 questions comprised in this section were mostly theoretical questions
• 31 percent of the total number of questions asked were easy 

Biology

• The biology section was the easiest section in the question paper of NEET 2020.
• This section comprised of 90 questions, which can be segregated into questions from Botany and Zoology. 
• The Zoology section of NEET 2020 was easy to moderate.
• Nearly 30 percent of the questions can be considered difficult.
• This section was mainly dominated by questions from Animal Husbandry, Biotechnology, Human Reproduction, and Biomolecules.
• The Botany section of NEET 2020 was moderate to difficult.
• Nearly 30 percent of the questions can be considered easy.
• This section was mainly dominated by questions from Genetics, cell and cell cycle, diversity of life, and structural organisation of plants. 

Considering the above analysis subject-wise, Edunews also expressed that the question paper of NEET 2020 was of moderate difficulty level. 

• NEET counselling dates have not yet been announced by the NTA (National Testing Agency) and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
• The counselling process is expected to begin after the announcement of the result of NEET-UG tentatively in August.
• The counselling process will consist of many rounds and will be conducted to facilitate the allocation of seats at the All India level (AIQ) and at the State level. 
• The counselling of NEET will be conducted entirely in online mode.
• They must qualify for NEET
• They must be registered on the official website of MCC
• All candidates, including candidates from the UT of J&K, can participate in the counselling for AIQ seats and deemed universities
• Only those candidates who have qualified NEET 2020 with the minimum required percentile will be eligible to participate in counselling of NEET.
• DGHS has been entrusted on behalf of MCC to conduct NEET counselling for 15% seats of the total intake from all the government colleges for AIQ candidates.
• Seats offered in Central and Deemed Universities, seats reserved for Wards of Insured Persons (IP quota) in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) medical colleges and seats available at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) Pune are also filled through NEET 2021 counselling.
• The result of NEET counselling will be released in the form of a seat allotment list.
• The Counselling of NEET 2021 for the rest of 85% seats offered in government and private medical/dental college will be conducted by the respective state counselling authority.

NEET Counselling Process 

• Registration, payment of fee and choice filling
• Candidates will have to register online on the official website of MCC and make the payment of the application fee.
• Registered candidates only will be allowed to participate in the exam counselling.
• While filling the online application form, candidates will also be asked to enter their preferences for colleges and courses.
• The final allotment of seat will be based on the list of preferences entered by candidates. 

Choice locking for final allotment 

• After completing the registration process, the candidates need to fill in the choices by logging into the registered account on the MCC portal
• They need to choose the course/ college in the desired order of preference
• They can fill in any number of choices from the list provided
• Candidates can add/delete a choice
• They can also move up/ move down a choice as per their preference
• After filling in the choices, they must save a copy of the choices filled for future reference

Seat allotment result 

• Based on the AIR obtained in NEET and the choices filled in the registration form, a seat allocation list will be prepared
• The seat allocation list will be uploaded online on the official website of MCC

Reporting at the allotted institute 

• The candidate who has been allocated a seat in counselling of NEET will have to report to the allocated institute for verification of documents and confirmation of the seat.
• If candidates accept the seat that has been allocated to them but fail to report to the allocated institute before the given deadline, their candidature will be cancelled.

NEET Important Dates

Below are the tentative dates for NEET candidates can refer to: 

*Tentative dates, subject to change.

NEET Exam Related Events

• NEET Application form: The application forms for NEET will be released anytime soon. The application will be released online and the last date to fill and submit it will be in the last week of March.
• NEET Correction window: NTA will open a correction window for the candidates to edit the application form. This window will be functional in the second week of March, tentatively.
• NEET admit card: The hall ticket for NEET will be released by NTA. Candidates will be able to download it after logging into their accounts. 
• NEET 2021 exam date: NEET is expected to be held in the third week of June. Going by the past year`s trends, NEET is conducted on the first Sunday of May every year. The exception here was NEET 2020, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Due to the delay in the exam cycle from the previous year, NEET UG 2021 is expected to be conducted in June end or early July this year after the conclusion of class 12 board exams. According to the NEET exam schedule, the test will be conducted between 2 pm and 5 pm.
• NEET answer key: A provisional answer key of NEET will be released after the conclusion of the examination. The provisional NEET answer key is expected to be released in the last week of June. This will be followed by the release of the final answer key, which is generally released along with the result. The final answer key for NEET will be released in the first week of July.
• NEET result: According to NEET dates, NTA will declare the result in the first week of June. NEET result will be accompanied by the cut-off for this year.

NEET Counselling Dates

• The NEET-UG counselling will be conducted by the MCC after the announcement of the result of NEET-UG.
• The counselling process is expected to start in the month of August (tentatively).
• No official dates for the same have been announced yet. 
• The  session and schedule of NEET was disrupted due to the COVID-19,  and certain events such as counselling and final seat allotment process were delayed.
• NEET counselling schedule was released by MCC.
• NEET exam was successfully conducted across all test centres on September .
• NTA had released the final NEET answer key along with the results.
• Candidates who have qualified NEET can check the counselling schedule her

• Nationality:

  • Indian Nationals,
  • Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
  • Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
  • Persons with Indian Origin (PIO)
  • Foreign Nationals

  Age Limit:

  • The minimum age of a candidate as of December 31, 2021, should be 17 years
  • The rule specifying the maximum age limit of the candidate was challenged last year in the court of law. Thus, there is no upper age limit as of now and candidates older than 25 years of age applying for NEET 2021 will be provisionally admitted subject to the ruling of the High Court of Delhi.

  Minimum qualification:

  • Candidate must have cleared Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized institute
  • Candidates who are appearing for Class 12 or equivalent in summer can also apply for NEET 
  • Candidates who have completed Class 12 or equivalent from an open school are also eligible

  Mandatory subjects:

  • Candidate must have cleared Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
  • Candidates who have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Biology as an additional subject are also eligible

  Minimum marks required in the qualifying examination:

  • General category: 50 percent
  • PWD category: 45 percent
  • SC/ST/OBC: 40 percent

Cutoff for Previous Years Neet exams

• NEET result has been announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on October 
• The result for NEET is uploaded on the official website of NTA.
• To download the NEET result, candidates have to log in to their registered accounts on the official website.
• Candidates must note that the result of NEET will not be sent by post under any circumstances.
• Candidates must note that the result of NEET shall be considered final for allocation of ranks.
• NTA does not entertain any requests for the re-evaluation of the answer sheet post the declaration of NEET result.
• Candidates who qualify NEET will be eligible to participate in the counselling which will be conducted at both state and national level.
• The national-level counselling for admission to 15 per cent of all India quota seats will be conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).  
• Candidates must note that NTA will release the final answer key for the examination along with the NEET result.

How to check NEET result ?

• Go to the official website of ntaneet.nic.in
• Navigate to the "Download Result" tab
• Enter the roll number, date of birth, and security pin
• NEET scorecard will be displayed on the screen
• Download and print the scorecard for future reference

NEET Scorecard 

• Candidates who qualify for the examination can download the scorecard of NEET online.
• Those who do not score above the qualifying examination will not be issued the NEET scorecard.
• The candidate will require the NEET scorecard during the counselling process.
• Therefore, they are advised to keep it safe till the admission process is over.

Details on NEET scorecard

• Candidate`s name
• Candidate’s roll number
• Category
• Application number
• Overall score
• Subject-wise score
• Percentile score
• All India Rank
• Qualifying status
• NEET AIR for 15% AIQ seats
• NEET cut off score

NEET Qualifying Percentile

 What happens when two or more candidates secure the same marks in NEET Result ?

• NTA has a protocol for situations where two or more candidates score equal marks.
• The following parameters are considered in case of a tie: 
  • Candidate with higher marks in Biology is given a higher order of merit compared to others
  • If the marks scored in the Biology section are equal, a candidate with higher marks in Chemistry is given a higher order of merit compared to others
  • If marks scored in Biology and Chemistry are equal, a candidate with a lesser number of incorrect answers is given a higher order of merit
  • Lastly, if everything else is equal, the candidate senior in age will be placed higher in the order of merit compared to others

• NEET admit card will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). 
• The admit card of NEET will be released online and candidates can download it by logging into their registered accounts.
• NEET admit card will be issued for only those candidates who complete the application form of NEET and remit the registration fee for it.
• Merely registering on the official website will not entitle a candidate to receive the admit card of NEET.
• NEET admit card will not be sent by post to anyone and can be downloaded online only.
• Candidates are advised to check the details printed on the NEET 2021 admit card before downloading it.
• NEET is scheduled to be held on May (tentatively).
• It is mandatory to carry the admit card of NEET to the exam centre if one wants to appear for the examination.

How to Download the NEET Admit Card ?

• The admit card of NEET will be available in online mode only.
• Follow the steps given below to download it.
  • Go to the official website of NTA NEET
  • Click on “NEET admit card ”
  • Enter application number, date of birth, and the security pin
  • Click on “Submit”
  • Admit card of NEET will appear on the screen
  • Check the details mentioned on the admit card
  • Download the NEET admit card

Details on the NEET admit card :

• The details mentioned on the admit card of NEET will be matched with the Id proof of the candidate on the day of the examination.
• If they do not match, the candidate will not be allowed to appear for the examination.
• Thus, it is important to check the NEET admit card for errors.
• The following details can be found on the admit card of NEET:
  • Name of the candidate
  • NEET roll number
  • NEET registration number
  • Date and time of the examination
  • Father’s name
  • Mother’s name
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Category/ Sub-category
  • Address
  • Medium (Language) of the examination
  • Number and address of the exam centre
  • Signature

What to Do After Downloading the NEET Admit Card ?

• Take a coloured printout of the admit card of NEET
• Affix a passport size photograph in the space provided. (Same as the one submitted with the application form of NEET 2020)
• Get the admit card signed by parent or guardian

Exam Day Conduct and Guidelines

• General exam day instructions for NEET are printed on the admit card.
• A few important instructions on the NEET admit card are:
  • Candidates can set their watch with the clock on the NTA NEET website
  • The last entry into the examination hall will be at 1.30 pm.
  • Candidates found in possession of the barred items will not be allowed to complete the examination.
  • Candidates should visit the exam centre a day before the examination
  • Geometry/ pencil box, calculator, log table, slide ruler, any paper or textual material, etc. are not allowed inside the examination hall.
  • Handbags, purses, wallets, electronic gadgets, calculators, watches, etc are also barred inside the examination hall.
  • Students are not allowed to carry any eatable or water bottles inside the examination hall. However, diabetic students are allowed to carry fruits/ sugar tablets and a transparent water bottle.

How to Retrieve a Forgotten Registration Number to Download the Admit Card of NEET ?

• Retrieving the registration number is a four-step process.
• Though the process is easy, candidates are advised to note the number carefully and not rely on this method.
• Steps to retrieve the registration Id:
  • Go to the official website of NTA NEET.
  • Click on “Forgot Registration Number”
  • Enter the following details: Name, mother’s name, father’s name, category, date of birth, and security pin.
  • The registration number will be displayed on the screen
  • Copy the number and use it to download the admit card

What to carry on the day of the examination?

• NEET admit card
• Passport-sized photograph (same as the one uploaded with the application form)
• A valid photo Id proof (Aadaar card/ Driving Licence/ PAN Card/ Passport/ Voter Id)
• PWD Certificate (if applicable)

What not to carry?

• A stationery item like textual material (printed or written), bits of papers, Geometry/Pencil Box, Plastic Pouch, Calculator, Pen, Scale, Writing Pad, Pen Drives, Eraser, Calculator, Log Table, Electronic Pen/Scanner, etc.
• Communication devices like Mobile Phones, Bluetooth, Earphones, microphones, pagers, Health bands, etc.
• Other items like Wallet, Goggles, Handbags, Belt, Cap Watch/Wrist Watch, Bracelet, Camera, etc.
• Any eatable item opened or packed, water bottle, tea, coffee, cold drinks, etc.
• Any other item which could be used for unfair means, by hiding communication devices like a microchip, camera, Bluetooth device, etc.
• Candidates suffering from diabetes are allowed to carry eatables (with prior intimation) like sugar tablets/fruits (like banana/apple/orange) and transparent water bottles. However, they will not be allowed to carry packed foods like chocolate/ candy/sandwiches, etc.

Important points to remember

• NTA will send a soft copy of the NEET to admit card to the registered email address.
• It is mandatory to get the admit card signed by a parent/ guardian.
• It is mandatory to carry a valid photo Id proof on the day of the examination.
• The candidate has to carry a passport-sized photograph on the day of the examination. This photograph has to be affixed on the attendance sheet.