Overview
NEET UG is the single national entrance test for admission to undergraduate medical and allied courses in India: MBBS, BDS and the AYUSH degrees (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS and similar). It is held once a year by the National Testing Agency, on behalf of the Government of India. A good score does not give you a seat by itself. It gives you a rank, and the rank is used by the central and state counselling authorities to allot seats by merit, category and quota. Dates, pattern and eligibility are published in the information bulletin of each year, so always read that bulletin first.
At a glance
Who can apply
Check the current information bulletin: age, attempts and qualification rules can change.
- Students who have passed Class 12 (or an equivalent exam) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English, from a recognised board, or who are appearing in it in the same year
- The minimum marks in the qualifying subjects depend on your category (General, reserved categories and persons with disability). The exact percentages are in the current bulletin.
- There is a minimum age to apply, counted from a fixed date in the year of admission. The bulletin states the date and the age. The upper age limit and the rule on number of attempts have been revised from time to time, so check the current bulletin.
- Indian citizens, Non-Resident Indians, Overseas Citizens of India, Persons of Indian Origin and foreign nationals can apply under the conditions in the bulletin
- Candidates who studied through the open school system or abroad should check the special conditions in the bulletin before applying
- Qualifying in NEET UG is a basic requirement for admission to MBBS, BDS and AYUSH degree courses, whether in government, private or deemed institutions
Exam pattern
As described in recent official bulletins. The bulletin of the current cycle is final.
Syllabus areas
How to apply and appear
- Read the information bulletin on the NTA NEET website and note the dates, syllabus and eligibility
- Register on the official portal with your own mobile number and email address, which must stay active until the admission is over
- Fill in the application form, choose your exam language and your preferred exam cities
- Upload a recent photograph, signature and the other documents asked for, in the size and format given
- Pay the application fee online through the portal and save the payment confirmation
- Check your application in the correction window if one is opened, because some details cannot be changed later
- Download the admit card and city intimation slip when released, and carry the admit card and a valid photo ID to the centre
- Appear for the exam, then check the provisional answer key and the final result on the official site
From exam to admission
- 1Read the bulletinCheck the eligibility, dates and syllabus on the NTA NEET website
- 2Register and applyFill in the form, upload documents and pay the fee online
- 3Admit cardDownload the admit card and exam city slip, and note the reporting time
- 4Appear for NEET UGTake the exam at your allotted centre with a valid photo ID
- 5Result and rankCheck the scorecard and your all India rank on the official site
- 6Counselling registrationRegister for central counselling (MCC) and for your state counselling as per your domicile
- 7Choice filling and allotmentFill and lock your college and course choices, then check the seat allotment for each round
- 8Report to the collegeComplete document verification and admission at the allotted institution before the last date
After the exam
- NTA publishes the result and scorecard, with an all India rank for each candidate
- The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), under the Directorate General of Health Services, runs counselling for the all India quota seats and for central, deemed and some other institutions
- Each state runs its own counselling for its state quota seats, usually with domicile and category rules. You may need to register separately for each state you are eligible for.
- AYUSH course counselling is run by a separate authority at the central level, and by states for state seats. The authority and the schedule are announced each year.
- Keep your category, domicile, income (where needed) and identity documents ready before counselling starts
- A score only makes you eligible for counselling. The seat depends on your rank, category, quota, the choices you fill and the seats available in that round. No exam or counsellor can promise a seat.
Courses this exam leads to
UGMBBS
The core medical undergraduate degree, through NEET-UG based counselling.
UGBDS
Dental undergraduate admission through NEET-UG counselling.
UGBAMS
Ayurveda undergraduate admission through AYUSH counselling.
UGBHMS
Homoeopathy undergraduate admission through AYUSH counselling.
UGBUMS
Unani medicine undergraduate admission through AYUSH counselling.
Official sources
- NTA NEET UG official websiteneet.nta.nic.in
- National Testing Agencynta.ac.in
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)mcc.nic.in
- National Medical Commissionwww.nmc.org.in
Frequently asked questions
Is NEET UG compulsory for MBBS in India?
Yes. Admission to MBBS and BDS in India, including private and deemed institutions, is through NEET UG scores. AYUSH degree courses such as BAMS and BHMS also use it.
How many times a year is NEET UG held?
Once a year, in recent cycles. NTA announces the schedule in the bulletin.
Is NEET UG taken on a computer or on paper?
In recent cycles it has been on paper at exam centres. The mode can change, so read the current bulletin.
Is there an attempt limit or upper age limit?
The rules on upper age and number of attempts have been changed in the past by court orders and notices. Read the current bulletin and do not rely on older websites.
Can I apply if I am still in Class 12?
Yes, students appearing in Class 12 in that year can apply, but admission depends on passing with the required subjects and marks.
Does one NEET score work for all states?
The score is national, but each state has its own counselling, quotas and domicile rules. Check the rules of every state you want to apply to.
Who prepares the syllabus?
The National Medical Commission prepares the syllabus, and NTA publishes it with the bulletin.
Can anyone promise a seat through this exam?
No. A score gives you access to counselling. The seat depends on your rank, category, quota and choices. We help you plan and understand the process, and never promise an outcome.
Dates, syllabus, pattern, eligibility and fees are published by the conducting body for each cycle. Always read the current official information bulletin.
Content checked against the official sources above in 2026-10. Rules, dates and eligibility change every cycle: always confirm on the official notice. This page is general guidance, not legal advice or an admission guarantee.