NEET History, Important Dates, Eligibility Exam Pattern, Syllabus, And Benefits
NEET (UG) is a nationwide test for students who want to become doctors or dentists or study alternative medicine (like Ayurveda) in India or abroad. It used to be called AIPMT. The test is now managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). If you pass NEET, you can enter government or private medical colleges in India. NTA shares the results with the Health Ministry, and they help decide who gets which college seats.
NEET-UG replaced many other tests that different states and colleges used to do. It made things simpler by having just one test for everyone. This article will help aspirants to get complete details about the NEET Exam, including NEET History, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility and more.
What is NEET?
NEET (UG) is a highly challenging medical entrance exam in India. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) every year. It is the key to pursuing undergraduate courses in fields like MBBS, BDS, and Ayush (alternative medicine) disciplines in India and overseas. The Indian government has made it mandatory to clear the NEET exam for anyone aspiring to study medicine.
NEET is the sole national-level undergraduate medical entrance exam, determining admissions to numerous colleges across India. These include 542 medical colleges, 313 dental colleges, 914 AYUSH institutions, and 47 colleges for Veterinary Sciences (BVSc and AH). This exam provides access to more than 66,000 MBBS and BDS seats in India. The NTA has been designated the governing body for nationwide competitive exams, taking over the responsibility of conducting NEET (UG) since 2019. Before this, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had organized NEET from 2013 to 2018.
NEET History
NTA NEET, short for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, was initially planned to start in 2012 but was postponed for a year. On May 5, 2013, it was conducted for the first time, marking a significant event in medical education. Over 10 lakh students registered for this groundbreaking medical exam. However, on July 18, 2013, the Supreme Court cancelled NEET, siding with 115 petitions and stating that the Medical Council of India (MCI) couldn't interfere with college admissions.
Many states, such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, opposed NEET, citing significant variations in the syllabus. Consequently, in 2012, the Supreme Court declared NEET unconstitutional. Nevertheless, it was reintroduced on April 11, 2016, eventually becoming vital to medical education in India.
NEET Events 2024
Application Process: The NTA is expected to commence the NEET 2024 application process in April 2024. Candidates should visit the official website, neet.nta.nic.in, during this period to complete and submit their application forms within the specified timeframe.
Admit Card Download: Following successful registration, candidates should closely monitor the NEET Admit Card 2024 release date. Admit Card will be released a few days before the exam date on the NTA official website. Candidates can download their NEET admit cards by visiting the official website and entering their application number and date of birth once released by the authorities
Exam Date and Guidelines: The NEET 2024 exam date, set for July 5, 2024, is officially announced by the NTA. Aspirants should thoroughly familiarize themselves with the exam day guidelines and instructions provided in the official notification for the examination.
Answer Key: After the conclusion of the NEET 2024 exam, aspirants are encouraged to check the official website for the unofficial answer key, which typically becomes available shortly after the exam. The official NEET 2024 answer key, released by the NTA, will follow approximately one month after the examination.
Result Declaration: About one month after the NEET 2024 exam, the NTA will declare the results online as a scorecard. Candidates should stay updated on the official NEET website for result-related notifications and announcements.
Counselling: After receiving NEET 2024 results or scorecards, candidates can participate in the NEET counselling process conducted by the NTA in three rounds. Candidates will be assigned seats in these rounds based on their exam scores. This process continues until all government seats in NEET are allocated. 15% of All India Quota seats will be managed by the MCC, while the remaining 85% of state quota seats will be handled by the respective state counselling authorities.
NEET Exam Dates 2024
The NTA has officially announced the NEET 2024 Exam Date, scheduled for May 5, 2024, adhering to a pen and paper offline format, as per the NTA Exam Calendar 2024-25. Registration for NEET 2024 is slated to commence in the first week of April 2024.
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2024
To be eligible for the NEET 2024, certain mandatory NEET Eligibility Criteria 2024 must be met. The NEET 2024 eligibility criteria include the following:
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Candidates must be Indian citizens.
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Aspirants must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2024, for the year of admission.
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Candidates should have individually completed their 12th grade with a minimum aggregate of 50% in subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
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Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories have a slight relaxation, with a minimum requirement of 40% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology in their HSC examination.
NEET Exam Pattern 2023
NTA has released the NEET Exam Pattern 2024 on its official website, i.e. neet.nta.nic.in. The exam will last for 200 minutes, with 200 questions. Candidates will need to respond to only 180 of these questions. PwD (Persons with Disabilities) candidates will receive an additional 65 minutes for the exam. Each subject (Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany) will be divided into sections A and B, containing 35 and 15 questions, respectively, resulting in each subject having 50 questions, of which candidates must attempt 45. The NEET Exam 2024 will have a total score of 720 marks.
The mode of examination will be offline, conducted in a pen-and-paper format at designated test centers. The question paper will comprise exclusively of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), with no descriptive-type questions. Negative marking will be applicable, deducting 1 mark for each incorrect response, while each correct answer will earn 4 marks.
NEET Syllabus 2024
The National Medical Association has revised the NEET UG Syllabus 2024. The updated NEET UG 2024 Syllabus covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, focusing on key concepts from the 11th and 12th grades. As per the revised syllabus, certain chapters have been removed. Candidates can download the NEET 2024 syllabus from the NTA's official website.
Benefits of Being A NEET Aspirant
Here are the benefits of being a NEET aspirant in simpler words:
Easier Process: NEET is India's only medical entrance exam, so you don't have to stress about many exams. Just focus on NEET, and you'll have a better chance of getting into medical college.
Fewer Questions: NEET has fewer questions compared to some older exams, making it less stressful. You have more time to think and answer the questions correctly.
Fair Chance: NEET gives everyone a fair shot at getting into medical colleges across different states. Your admission depends on your NEET score, so it's equal for everyone.
No Cheating: NEET has made the admission process more honest. It's harder for papers to get leaked, and there's less corruption. This means your chances are based on how well you do in NEET.
Multiple Attempts: You can take the NEET exam more than once if you need to. Plus, there's no age limit anymore, so you can keep trying until you succeed.
NEET VS AIPMT
The main differences between NEET and AIPMT include the following:
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NEET encompasses a broader range of medical college seats and is a centralized examination, whereas AIPMT has a more limited scope.
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AIPMT included two papers, Prelims and Mains, whereas NEET features a single paper format.
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NEET was introduced in 2012, replacing AIPMT initially but was later reinstated in 2013. In contrast, NEET has been the sole medical entrance exam since 2017.
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All eligible students can apply for NEET in 2017, while AIPMT 2016 limited the number of candidates allowed to apply.
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The counseling process for NEET is managed by the Medical Counselling Committee, and candidates who achieve the 50th percentile are eligible for counseling.
NEET FAQs
Q1. What is the full form of NEET?
Ans. NEET stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. It determines eligibility for medical admissions and is conducted by a specific organization.
Q2. When is NEET 2024?
Ans. NEET 2024 is scheduled for May 5, 2024. The National Testing Agency will provide further details regarding the examination schedule.
Q3. Is there a limit to the number of attempts for NEET exams?
Ans. Until NEET 2020, there was a maximum limit of three attempts. However, starting from NEET 2020, there is no restriction on the number of attempts.
Q4. What is the importance of NEET for MBBS?
Ans. NEET is the primary and only medical entrance exam in India. It serves as the gateway to MBBS colleges in the country, replacing all other exams. While studying abroad is an option, qualifying for NEET is necessary for Indian medical aspirants. NEET ensures a standardized level of assessment for all candidates worldwide.
Q5. How can I score 720 in NEET 2024?
Ans: To aim for a 720+ score in NEET 2024:
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Begin your preparation well in advance.
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Study from reliable NEET 2024 materials.
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Create a structured study plan.
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Keep yourself motivated with daily targets.
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Monitor your syllabus completion and improvement areas.
