NEET UG: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Marking Scheme

NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Undergraduate) is the single national entrance examination for admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, BVSc, and nursing seats in India. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) once a year, typically on the first Sunday of May, as a pen-and-paper (OMR) test in 13 languages.

The exam is rooted in the NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The National Medical Commission (NMC) releases the official syllabus, and the current version was released on 23 December 2025. With roughly 20–24 lakh candidates competing for approximately 1.1 lakh MBBS seats, NEET UG is the largest single-day entrance exam in India by applicant volume.

Eligibility at a glance

Criterion	Current rule (verify on the official portal)
Class 12 qualification	Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English — from a recognised board.
Minimum marks	General: 50% in PCB aggregate. OBC / SC / ST: 40%. PwBD (General): 45%. Confirm exact cut-offs in the current information bulletin.
Age	Minimum 17 years as of 31 December of the admission year. There is currently no upper age limit (subject to NTA / NMC confirmation each cycle).
Number of attempts	No cap on attempts as per the last available NTA / NMC guidance. Confirm in the current information bulletin.
Nationality	Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals as per current rules. Confirm in the official notification.

Always verify the current eligibility conditions in the official NTA NEET information bulletin before applying.

Exam pattern: 720 marks

Subject	Sections	Questions	Marks
Physics	Section A (35 Q) + Section B (15 Q, attempt any 10)	45 attempted	180
Chemistry	Section A (35 Q) + Section B (15 Q, attempt any 10)	45 attempted	180
Botany	Section A (35 Q) + Section B (15 Q, attempt any 10)	45 attempted	180
Zoology	Section A (35 Q) + Section B (15 Q, attempt any 10)	45 attempted	180
Total	—	180 attempted	720

Marking: +4 for correct, −1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted. Section B pattern — verify in the current information bulletin as NTA may revise it.

How the syllabus splits across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology

Physics — Approximately 28–30 chapters across Class 11 and 12 NCERT: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Electricity & Magnetism, Modern Physics, and Semiconductors. Class 12 chapters typically carry slightly higher weightage in PYQs.
Chemistry — Approximately 30 chapters across Class 11 and 12 NCERT: Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry have been the highest-yield areas in recent cycles.
Botany — Approximately 16–18 chapters across Class 11 and 12 NCERT: Plant Cell, Anatomy, Photosynthesis, Reproduction, Ecology, and Genetics. NCERT diagrams and exceptions are frequently tested.
Zoology — Approximately 16–18 chapters across Class 11 and 12 NCERT: Animal Kingdom, Human Physiology, Reproduction, Genetics, Evolution, and Biotechnology. Human Physiology and Genetics carry high PYQ weightage.

Qualifying percentile by category

Category	Qualifying percentile	Approximate marks range (2025 cycle)
General / EWS	50th percentile	~144–720
OBC / SC / ST	40th percentile	~113–143
PwBD (General)	45th percentile	Confirm in current official notification

Qualifying percentile cutoffs are set by NMC each cycle. The marks range shifts year to year — verify the current official cutoff in the NTA result notification.

Qualifying does not guarantee a seat: Meeting the qualifying percentile means you are eligible for counselling — it does not guarantee an MBBS or BDS seat. Actual seat allocation depends on your rank, category, state quota, and counselling round. Check the official NTA NEET portal and MCC UG counselling portal for the current cycle.

Frequently asked questions

Can a dropper attempt NEET multiple times?

As per the last available NTA and NMC guidance, there is no cap on the number of NEET UG attempts. The 2026 exam disruption may affect dropper cohort size significantly. Confirm the current attempt rules in the official information bulletin before registering.

Is AIIMS separate from NEET UG?

No. AIIMS and JIPMER now admit students through NEET UG. Their seats are allotted through MCC UG counselling under the 15% All India Quota. There is no separate AIIMS or JIPMER entrance exam.