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NEET Full Form
The full form of NEET is the “National Eligibility cum Entrance Test” in the medical field. NEET is a competitive entrance examination conducted in India for students who aspire to do undergraduate medical (MBBS) and dental (BDS) courses in government or private colleges.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) organises the NEET Entrance Exam on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. NEET replaced multiple entrance tests previously conducted by different state and medical institutions to streamline the admissions process and ensure a standardized evaluation for all medical aspirants in the country. Read the full article to learn more details about the NEET Entrance Exam in India.
What is NEET?
The NEET Full Form is the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) is a test that determines whether or not a person is eligible for medical colleges in India.
- NEET is a single-level national exam for medical students that allows them to apply for medical school admission at any of the country’s medical schools.
- The exam has become the only medical entrance exam after 2020 that must be passed to be considered for admission to AIIMS and JIPMER, hence reducing the number of applicants.
- National Eligibility and Entrance Test, the Indian government proposed to replace several exams, that were being held as part of the One Nation One Examination policy, by NEET.
- NEET is an offline, pen-and-paper test that is the only medical entrance exam at the undergraduate level that follows this approach.
Who Administered NEET?
The National Testing Agency holds the NEET exam every year under the guidance of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). After passing the NEET exam, you will be able to enrol in MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical programmes. Not only that but because NEET is a fair and transparent exam, it also provides a reasonable number of possibilities in other connected fields. In addition, the NEET scores of students are accepted by the majority of private colleges. DGHS works under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
How and when did NEET start?
NEET Full form is the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. The NEET test was originally scheduled for 2012, however, the Medical Council of India (MCI) and CBSE postponed it for a year due to various factors.
The NEET test was held for the first time in India on May 5, 2013, for students seeking admission to UG and PG medicine courses. It was the first-ever medical entrance exam, with over 10 lakh students registering. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the cancellation of the NEET test on July 18, 2013, after hearing 115 petitions.
This was true because the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal all vehemently opposed the exam, claiming that the syllabus differed significantly. In the year 2012, the Supreme Court of India deemed the NEET exam unlawful. However, on April 11th, 2016, the NEET test was re-launched.
Who is Eligible for the NEET Exam?
The eligibility criterion for NEET is as follows:
- Clearing class 12 board examinations from a recognized institution is the minimum educational qualification.
- A student must also qualify from the science stream with majors in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology/Biotechnology, with a minimum score of 50%.
- A candidate must be an Indian citizen to take this exam. If the candidate is not an Indian citizen, they must be a PIOS (Persons of Indian Origin), NRI (Non-Resident Indians), or OCI (Overseas Citizen of India).
- In addition, the minimum age requirement for candidates from all categories is 17 years.
- Candidates in the general category have a maximum age limit of 25 years. For restricted group candidates, the maximum age limit is 30 years.
What is the Syllabus for NEET?
The NEET Syllabus is based on the National Curriculum Framework published in 2005. In 2024, MCC has made some changes. The test covers all of the subjects taught in Class 12 or equivalent. Some topics from Biology have been deleted.
What is the Pattern of the NEET Exam?
NEET exam is an OMR-based test. A total of 200 questions are asked in this entrance exam. Students must attempt at least 180 questions. Candidates can take the NEET exam in any of these languages – English, Hindi, Assamese, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu. The exam is for a total of 720 marks. Click this link to learn the NEET Exam Pattern in detail.
How to start preparation for NEET?
There is no fixed way or time to start NEET Preparation. However, starting early from class 11 is the best way to maximize your chances for selection. Candidates should first focus on the syllabus and then solve practice tests and question papers from previous years. Creating a NEET Exam Strategy also plays a role in scoring higher. Know the Best NEET Preparation Strategy 2025, NEET Preparation 2025, Best Books and Tips for NEET Preparation.
NEET Abbreviation
NEET Abbreviation is National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). NEET is held for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in India. The NEET Exam comprises three sections – Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.