The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) is a national-level entrance examination for undergraduate medical courses in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), it serves as the primary gateway for admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, and various other undergraduate medical courses in medical and dental colleges across India.

Key Highlights of NEET (UG):

1. Purpose and Scope:
   • NEET (UG) is required for admission to all government and private medical and dental colleges in India, except for AIIMS and JIPMER institutions, which conduct their own entrance exams. o It is also mandatory for Indian students aiming to study medicine abroad and wish to practice in India upon their return.
2. Eligibility Criteria:
   • Age: Candidates must be at least 17 years old at the time of admission or will complete that age by December 31 of the admission year. The upper age limit has been removed, allowing candidates above 25 to also apply.
   • Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed or be appearing in the 12th standard (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
   • Minimum Marks: General category candidates must secure at least 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology in the 12th standard. Reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) have a relaxation to 40%.
3. Exam Structure:
   • Mode of Examination: NEET (UG) is a pen-and-paper-based o Duration: The exam lasts for 3 hours and 20 minutes.
   • Exam Pattern: The question paper consists of 180 multiple-choice questions

(MCQs) divided into four subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Each subject has two sections (Section A and Section B), with candidates required to answer a fixed number of questions in each section.

4. Syllabus and Difficulty Level:
   • The NEET syllabus includes topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). o The questions are based on Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT syllabus for these subjects, although the difficulty level can be moderate to high, aiming to test both fundamental concepts and critical thinking skills.
5. Marking Scheme:
   • Correct Answer: +4 marks o Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (negative marking) o Unanswered Questions: No mark (0)
   • In cases where questions are determined to have multiple correct answers or are invalid, marking adjustments will be made as per NTA guidelines.
6. Language Options:
   • NEET (UG) is offered in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Candidates can select their preferred language at the time of registration.
7. Reservation Policy:
   • NEET (UG) follows the Government of India’s reservation guidelines, providing seat reservations for various categories including SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates.
8. Counseling and Admission Process:
   • After the NEET results are declared, qualified candidates can participate in counseling sessions conducted by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) and respective state authorities for seat allocation.
   • Counseling for All India Quota (15%) and State Quota (85%) seats is conducted separately, based on the NEET scores and rank.

Important Points to Note:

• NEET (UG) is essential for those seeking to pursue medical education within or outside India.
• Each year, over a million students appear for NEET, making it one of the most competitive exams in the country.
• Candidates are advised to be well-prepared, stay updated on the latest exam guidelines, and practice regularly to perform effectively.

NEET (UG) serves as a critical examination for aspiring medical students, ensuring a standardized and transparent admission process for medical education across the nation.