Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

This is a complete, free study companion for Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases — built around what the exam actually asks. The topics examiners repeat most are Psoriasis clinical signs: Auspitz sign, candle-grease sign, silvery scales, Wickham striae and lichen planus morphology, and Leprosy cardinal signs: anesthetic patch, thickened nerve, acid-fast bacilli. The syllabus runs to 12 chapters. Below you'll find the full topic-frequency ranking, the exam paper pattern, every chapter, a step-by-step study plan, and the official downloads — everything in one place.

Everything here is free. We're an independent student resource, not the official NEET body, so always confirm the current syllabus and exam dates on the official NEET website before you rely on them.

Key information

Level: PG
Programme: Postgraduate
Stream: Clinical
Exam: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate)
Conducted by: National Testing Agency (NTA)

Most important topics (by past-paper frequency)

#	Topic	Times asked	Likelihood
1	Psoriasis clinical signs: Auspitz sign, candle-grease sign, silvery scales	6	60%
2	Wickham striae and lichen planus morphology	6	60%
3	Leprosy cardinal signs: anesthetic patch, thickened nerve, acid-fast bacilli	6	60%
4	Nikolsky sign and autoimmune blistering disorders	5	50%
5	Auspitz sign as bedside dermatological sign	5	50%
6	Patch test and allergic contact dermatitis	5	50%
7	Koebner phenomenon in psoriasis, lichen planus, vitiligo	5	50%
8	Pityriasis versicolor microscopy: spaghetti and meatballs	5	50%
9	Herpes zoster: dermatomal vesicles and postherpetic neuralgia	5	50%
10	Genital warts and HPV 6/11	5	50%
11	Primary syphilis: painless indurated chancre	5	50%
12	Vitiligo diagnosis: chalk-white depigmentation and Wood lamp	5	50%

Based on how often each topic appeared in official previous-year question papers.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Skin structure, function, and histology
Chapter 2: Clinical examination and diagnostic approach in dermatology
Chapter 3: Dermatitis and eczema: atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis
Chapter 4: Psoriasis, lichen planus, and other papulosquamous disorders
Chapter 5: Bacterial skin infections: impetigo, cellulitis, folliculitis
Chapter 6: Fungal and yeast infections: dermatophytosis and candidiasis
Chapter 7: Viral infections of the skin: warts, herpes simplex, varicella
Chapter 8: Leprosy (Hansen's disease): clinical features and management
Chapter 9: Sexually transmitted infections with cutaneous manifestations: syphilis, HPV-related warts, HIV-related lesions
Chapter 10: Pigmentary disorders: vitiligo, melasma, post-inflammatory pigmentation
Chapter 11: Neoplasms of the skin: benign and malignant lesions (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma)
Chapter 12: Public health and preventive aspects in dermatology and venereology: prevention, screening, and referral pathways

How to study Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases and score well

Start with the highest-frequency topics — In Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Psoriasis clinical signs: Auspitz sign, candle-grease sign, silvery scales, Wickham striae and lichen planus morphology, Leprosy cardinal signs: anesthetic patch, thickened nerve, acid-fast bacilli, and Nikolsky sign and autoimmune blistering disorders appear again and again in past papers. Master these first — they return the most marks for the time you put in.
Practise with previous-year papers — Solve the last 5–10 years of NEET Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases papers under timed, exam-like conditions. Past papers show exactly which topics repeat and how questions are worded.
Revise actively, not passively — Write a one-page summary for each of the 12 chapters — key definitions, formulas and the points examiners reward — then re-test yourself instead of re-reading.
Mark your answers with the official scheme — After each practice paper, score yourself against the official marking scheme. It shows how marks are awarded step-by-step, so you learn to present answers the way examiners expect.

Exam tips: how to score higher in Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Where students lose marks: rushing the high-weightage questions, skipping the steps the marking scheme rewards, and saving easy sections for last. Read the whole paper first, attempt your strongest section early to bank marks, and always show your working.

Manage your time: split your time in proportion to the marks each section carries, keep a few minutes at the end to check, and never leave a question blank — a partial, structured answer still earns partial marks.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most important topics in Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases?

Based on past papers, the most frequently asked topics include Psoriasis clinical signs: Auspitz sign, candle-grease sign, silvery scales, Wickham striae and lichen planus morphology, Leprosy cardinal signs: anesthetic patch, thickened nerve, acid-fast bacilli. The full ranked list with how often each appears is in the "Most important topics" section above.

Where can I download Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases previous-year question papers?

Official NEET previous-year question papers are available on the official NEET website. Open the Question Papers section for the direct link, plus the exam pattern and the topics that repeat most.

How can I prepare for Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases faster?

Start with the highest-frequency topics, learn the exam pattern so you know how each section is marked, and practise with past papers. A subject-aware study tutor can quiz you on exactly these topics.

A Gyani AI tutor trained on the Dermatology and Venereology: Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases syllabus and past papers can quiz you on the most-asked topics and show you exactly what to revise.