Comprehensive Guide About NEET (UG) 2024

Medical education in India is known for its rigorous and comprehensive process that prepares students to become competent healthcare professionals. Admission to MBBS programs in India is highly competitive and entry to any medical institution in India or abroad is based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). NEET (UG) is a mandatory examination for young medical aspirants in the country. 

NEET (UG) has been conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA) since 2019 for medical aspirants seeking to pursue undergraduate medical education. The exam is generally conducted in May in 13 different languages in various cities across the country and abroad. Additionally, this year, NEET (UG) 2024 will be administered in 554 cities spanning various States and Union Territories in India and across 14 foreign cities in 12 countries. 

The exam will be conducted in 14 foreign cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah (UAE); Kuwait City in Kuwait; Bangkok in Thailand; Colombo in Sri Lanka; Doha in Qatar; Kathmandu in Nepal; Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; Lagos in Nigeria; Manama in Bahrain; Muscat in Oman; Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; and Singapore.

Key Highlights of NEET (UG) 2024

Examination Name	National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test – Undergraduate [NEET (UG)] 2024
Competent Authority	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Examination Date	May 05, 2024
Frequency of Examination	Once a year
Examination Mode	Offline (Pen and Paper Mode)
Type of Questions Asked	MCQs
Total Number of Questions Asked	180
Language	13 Languages
Duration	03 hours 20 Minutes
Timing of Examination	02:00 PM to 05:20 PM (Indian Standard Time)
Marking	+4 for every correct answer, -1 for every incorrect answer, and No mark for unanswered question
Total Marks	720
Qualifying Marks	50th percentile (for general)

What is NEET-UG?

As per Section 14 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test – Undergraduate [NEET (UG)] is a common and uniform examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) with the approval of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (which is now known as the Ministry of Education) for admission to undergraduate medical education in all Medical institutions in various disciplines i.e. MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, BSMS, and BHMS courses. 

Additionally, since 2020, NEET (UG) has served as the qualifying entrance exam for admission to MBBS/BDS courses in AIIMS and JIPMER, despite these medical institutions being governed under separate statutes, as stipulated in Section 14 (1) of the NMC Act (2019).

Important Dates for NEET (UG) 2024

Online Submission of Application Form	February 09, 2024 to March 09, 2024(up to 05:00 PM)
Last date of successful transaction of fee through Credit/Debit Card/Net-Banking/UPI	March 09, 2024(up to 11:59 PM)
Correction in Particulars	To be intimated later on the website
Announcement of the City of Examination	To be intimated on the website
Downloading of Admit Cards from the NTAwebsite	To be intimated later on the website
Date of Examination	May 05, 2024 (Sunday)
Duration of Examination	200 minutes (03 hours 20 Minutes)
Timing of Examination	02:00 PM to 05:20 PM (Indian Standard Time)
Centre of NEET (UG) – 2024 Examination	As indicated on Admit Card
Display of Recorded Responses and AnswerKeys	To be announced later on the website
Declaration of Result on NTA website	June 14, 2024

NEET (UG) 2024 Examination Pattern

The NEET (UG) – 2024 test pattern consists of four subjects, each divided into two sections. Section A includes 35 questions, while Section B has 15 questions, with candidates having the option to attempt any 10 questions. This maintains the total number of questions and time utilization.

Following is the NEET (UG) 2024 exam pattern for admission in the Session 2024-25:

Medium of the Question Papers

As per the National Education Policy (NEP), the NEET (UG) -2024 will be conducted in English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Candidates opting for English will be provided with English booklet during the exam. However, for candidates opting for regional language, they would be provided with Bilingual test booklet i.e., a booklet containing both Regional language and English.

Eligibility to appear in NEET (UG) – 2024

As per the regulations of NMC and DCI, candidates appearing for NEET (UG) must fulfill the following criteria:

Age Limit:

1. Students must have completed 17 years of age at the time of admission to the first year of the Undergraduate Medical Course. 
2. There is no upper age limit to appear for NEET(UG)

Nationality:

Citizens or applicants belonging to the following nationalities are eligible to apply for NEET (UG)

• Indian Nationals
• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
• Persons with Indian Origin (PIO)
• Foreign Nationals

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates applying for NEET(UG) 2024 should fulfill the following educational qualifications:

• Students must have cleared Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised institute and Board with subjects in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
• Students who are appearing for Class 12 final examination or equivalent in 2024 can also apply and appear for NEET (UG) 2024.

Note: Students from the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are eligible for 15% of the All India Quota seats. Candidates from these UTs can participate in the admission process similar to candidates from other states.

Syllabus of NEET(UG) 2024

The NEET(UG) 2024  syllabus comprises three subjects, namely Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Following is the Number of questions asked and marks distribution for each paper:

Subjects	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks
Physics	45	180
Chemistry	45	180
Botany	45	180
Zoology	45	180
Total	180	720

How to Apply for NEET (UG) 2024?

The mode of application for NEET (UG) 2024 is via online mode. Candidates wishing to apply for the examination must fill the application form following the instructions given below:

Steps for Online Registrations for NEET (UG) 2024

Step 1:  Register for online application form providing the required details such as name, parents’ names, category, gender, nationality, State of eligibility, identification details, mobile, and email. Please note that the candidates must create their own Password. After a successful registration, candidates will receive the system-generated Application Number. Kindly keep the system-generated Application Number and password created for future reference/correspondence.

Step 2: To complete the application process, the candidates must log in with the system-generated Application Number and pre-created Password. Ensure that all details such as personal details, Question Paper medium, Examination Cities, details of Educational

Qualifications, images, and documents (if any), are thoroughly filled, uploaded, and checked before final submission. 

Step 3: To support the application for the examination, candidates must upload the required documents as their references. The following are the documents required to be uploaded:

Documents Required for NEET (UG) 2024 Application

While filling up the application form, candidates are required to provide the following documents:

• Recent passport-size photographs (Colour or Black and white) with 80% face visibility against white background
• Postcard size Photograph
• Scanned Signature
• Left and Right-hand Fingers and Thumb impressions
• Any other Documents including Citizenship Certificate and PwBD Certificate (if applicable)

Documents	Specifications	Size and Format
Scanned Passport size photograph	White background	10 kb to 200 kb
Scanned Postcard photograph	White Background, (4”x6”)	10 kb – 200 kb
Scanned Signature	Black ink on white paper must not be in capital letters	4 kb to 30 kb
Scanned of Left and Right hand Thumb impressions	In blue ink on white paper with no smudges	10 kb to 200 kb
Scanned copy of Certificates	PwBD certificate/UDID (Swavlamban) card	50 kb to 300 kb

Scanned photograph, signature, and Left and Right-hand Fingers and Thumb impressions should be in JPG/JPEG format only.

Step 4: After completing the three steps, the candidates have to pay the requisite examination fee via Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI. NEET (UG) 2024 application will only be confirmed after the payment is successfully made.

NEET (UG) 2024 Application Fee

Category	Fee + GST
General/NRI	₹ 1700/-
General-EWS/ OBC-NCL*	₹ 1600/-
SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender	₹ 1000/-
Note: Processing charges & Goods and Services Tax (GST) are to be paid by the candidate, as applicable

NEET (UG) 2024 Admit Card

NEET (UG) Admit Card is expected to be released a week before the exam. Candidates appearing for the exam must download the admit card from the NTA official website i.e.: https://exams.nta.ac.in/NEET/ using their application number/Roll Number and password and take the printout of the same.

In case the candidate encounters difficulties in downloading their Admit Cards from the website, they are encouraged to seek assistance from the NTA Helpline between 10:00 am and 05:00 pm or send an email to NTA at neet@nta.ac.in. It is imperative for candidates to carefully read the instructions provided in the Information Bulletin and on the Admit Card, adhering to them meticulously during the examination. Suppose any discrepancies arise in the candidate’s particulars, photograph, or signatures on the Admit Card and Confirmation Page. In that case, immediate action can be taken by contacting the Help Line between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. In such instances, candidates should proceed to the examination with the previously downloaded Admit Card. NTA will subsequently address and rectify any necessary corrections in the records.

NEET (UG) 2024: Instructions to be followed in the Examination Hall

On the day of the examination, candidates are expected to reach their respective exam centre 2 hours before the examination time. No candidate will be allowed inside the examination centre after 1:30 PM. Candidates must possess a valid Admit Card for the examination and must provide the same on demand at the time of admission in the examination hall. Candidate must occupy their allotted seat according to their roll number. If a candidate is found appearing in the examination other than their allotted seat or room, their candidature shall be cancelled.

Parameters	Timeline
Date of Examination	May 05, 2024 (Sunday)
Timing and Duration of Examination	02:00 pm to 05:20 pm (Indian  Standard Time) (3 hours 20 minutes)
Last Entry to the Examination Centre	01:30 pm
Sitting on the seat in the ExaminationHall/Room	01:15 pm onwards
Announcement of Important Instructions andChecking of Admit Cards by the Invigilator	01:30 pm to 01:45 pm
Distribution of Test Booklet by the Invigilator	01:45 pm
Writing of particulars on the Test Booklet by the Candidate	01:50 pm
Test Commences	02:00 pm
Test Concludes	05:20 pm

Documents Required for NEET (UG) 2024

1. A printed copy of Admit Card with passport size photograph (same as uploaded in the application form)
2. One passport size photograph
3. Affix one color photograph (4”X6” in size) with a white background onto the Proforma downloaded along with the Admit Card.
4. Authorized valid IDs (PAN card/Driving License/Voter ID/Passport/Aadhaar Card /Ration Card, etc.)
5. Candidate under PwBD category must provide PwBD certificate issued by the Competent Authority.

Barred Items at the NEET (UG)

Before the commencement of the examination, candidates must know the following items restricted in the NEET (UG) 2024 examination hall. 

1. Any item like textual material (printed or written), bits of papers, Geometry/Pencil Box, Plastic
2. Pouch, Calculator, Pen, Scale, Writing Pad, Pen Drives, Eraser, Calculator, Log Table, Electronic Pen/Scanner, etc.
3. Any communication device like Mobile Phone, Bluetooth, Earphones, Microphone, Pager, Health Band, etc.
4. Other items like Wallet, Goggles, Handbags, Belt, Cap, etc.
5. Any Watch/Wristwatch, Bracelet, Camera, etc.
6. Any ornaments/metallic items.
7. Any food items opened or packed, water bottles, etc.
8. Any other item that could be used for unfair means, by hiding communication devices like a microchip, camera, Bluetooth device, etc.

Dress Code for NEET (UG) 2024

1. Candidates are required to follow the dress code for the exam.
2. Candidates are advised against wearing heavy clothes or long sleeves. However, those in cultural or customary attire must report at least an hour before the last reporting time, i.e., 12:30 pm, for thorough frisking to ensure exam integrity.
3. Candidates are allowed to wear slippers or sandals with low heels. However, shoes are not permitted inside the examination center.
4. Specific approval from the NTA must be obtained before issuing Admit Cards in cases of necessary deviations due to unavoidable circumstances such as medical reasons.

Post NEET (UG) Activities

After the conduct of the examination, NTA will display the scanned copy of the OMR answer sheets and recorded responses. Candidates will be given the opportunity to challenge the OMR grading by paying a non-refundable amount of  ₹200/- per question. The NTA will also display the Provisional Answer Key of the questions and will also give the candidates the opportunity to challenge against the provisional Answer Key by paying a non-refundable processing fee of ₹200/- per answer challenged. The Answer Key fnalised after the challenge will be treated as the final decision that will be displayed on the NTA website before the declaration of the result. 

Declaration of NEET (UG) 2024 Result

NEET (UG) 2024 result is likely to be released in the mid week of June. Candidates can download their scorecard from the NTA website https://exams.nta.ac.in/NEET using their application number and date of birth to log in. The NEET result or scorecard will carry test takers’ subject-wise and overall scores, percentile and All India Rank (AIR).

NEET (UG) Admission Procedure

Admissions to all seats of Undergraduate Medical / Dental Courses will be done through

NEET (UG) – 2024. After the Pen and Paper mode examination, Candidates who qualify NEET must go through counselling for admission to medical institutes in India. The counselling for admission to the seats under the control of State Governments/ UT Administrations / State Universities/ Institutions shall be conducted by the designated authorities

of the State Governments as per the notifications issued separately by the authorities concerned. 15% All India Quota and 100% including 85% State quota seats of Central Institutions will be available for FMGE (UG) 2024 counselling.

Once the result of NEET (UG) is out, qualified candidates will have to register for NEET (UG) counselling for seat allocation. Candidates will have to fill in the application form with all the required details and necessary documents. Upon release of the seat allocation order, students must download it and report to the institute. They are required to complete the admission formalities in order to secure their seat. If the candidates qualify all counselling rounds, they will be allotted to their designated colleges for medical courses in India.