NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST (NEET)

INTRODUCTION

Pursuant to the Notification published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary dated 21st December, 2010, the Medical Council of India (MCI) with the approval of the Central Government amended the regulations on Graduate Medical Education 1997 and made provision for a Single Eligibility cum Entrance Examination, namely, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to MBBS Course. The Dental Council of India (DCI) also amended the BDS Course Regulations 2007 and notified in the Gazette of India Extraordinary dated 31st May, 2012 that admission to BDS course in each academic year shall be through National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET).  MCI has decided to conduct the All India Level Common Entrance Examinations for admission to Medical Under Graduate (NEET-UG), Post Graduate (NEET-PG) and Super Specialty (NEET-SP) courses from the academic year 2013.

Admission to MBBS/BDS courses across the country will be carried out through an All India Medical Entrance Examination named National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) which will be organised by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) will cater to admissions in all the government and private medical and dental colleges in the country on the basis of its merit list. Although private colleges, including some deemed universities, have been trying to avoid NEET, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has made it clear that NEET will replace the multiple tests for admission to medical colleges from the academic year 2013.

Under-graduate courses at the AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in New Delhi and Post-graduate Institute for Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh may be outside the NEET's purview as these institutes were set up by separate laws.

An all India merit list as well as State-wise merit list of the eligible candidates shall be prepared on the basis of the marks obtained in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test and candidates shall be admitted to MBBS/ BDS courses from the said lists only.

General Instructions

• National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (UG) will be governed by the rules and regulations specified by the Medical Council of India, Dental Council of India and the Government of India.
• Appearance in NEET does not confer any right to the candidate for admission in MBBS/ BDS Courses. The selection and admission to MBBS/ BDS seats in any Medical Institution recognized for running MBBS/BDS Courses as per Indian Medical Council Act 1956 and BDS Course Regulations 2007 is subject to fulfilling the admission criteria, eligibility, medical fitness and such other criteria as may be prescribed by the respective universities and medical institutions.
• Applications of candidates submitting false and fabricated information will not be considered and such candidates will be further debarred from appearing in any future examinations conducted by the CBSE.
• Incomplete application or applications not in accordance with instructions will not be considered and are liable to be rejected. The examination fee deposited will not be refunded in such cases.
• Fee will neither be carried forward to a future Examination nor refunded under any circumstances. Online applications and/or their confirmation of submission received after the due date will not be entertained and exam fee will not be returned in such cases. Applications once submitted cannot be withdrawn.
• Instructions in the Information Bulletin are liable to change based on decisions taken by the CBSE from time to time. There is no equity or any rights that are/or deemed to be arising in favour of candidates.
• CBSE reserves the right to withdraw permission, if any, granted inadvertently to any candidate who is not eligible to appear in the NEET even though the Roll Number and Admit Card have been issued by the Board.
• Candidate's eligibility is purely provisional and is subject to fulfillment of eligibility criteria as prescribed by the Board.
• In case of any ambiguity in interpretation of any of the instructions/ terms/ rules/ criteria regarding determination of eligibility/ conduct of examination/ registration of candidates/ information contained therein, the interpretation of the CBSE shall be final and binding.

Advantages of NEET

• NEET will put a full stop to exam malpractices including impersonation and seat blocking.
• NEET will give a fair opportunity to all students to get medical seats across the country.
• NEET will lessen burden on students who otherwise have to appear for over 50 admission tests across the country.

ELIGIBILITY

Indian Nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) are eligible for appearing in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG). In order to be eligible for admission to MBBS/ BDS courses, it shall be necessary for a candidate to obtain minimum of 50% marks in 'National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test' (40% for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes) besides obtaining minimum prescribed marks at the qualifying examination. Provided when sufficient number of candidates in the respective categories fail to secure minimum marks as prescribed in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test held for any academic year for admission to MBBS/ BDS Courses, the Central Government in consultation with Medical Council of India/ Dental Council of India may at its discretion lower the minimum marks required for admission to MBBS/ BDS Courses for candidates belonging to respective categories and marks so lowered by the Central Government shall be applicable for the said academic year only. 

Qualifying Examinations

1. A candidate who is appearing in the qualifying examination, i.e., 12th Standard in the current year whose result is awaited, may apply and take up the NEET-UG but he/ she shall not be eligible for admission to the MBBS or BDS, if he/she does not pass the qualifying examination with the required pass percentage of marks at the time of first round of Counselling.
   OR

3. The Higher/ Senior Secondary Examination or the Indian School Certificate Examination which is equivalent to 10+2 Higher/ Senior Secondary Examination after a period of 12 years study, the last two years of such study comprising of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Bio-technology (which shall include practical tests in these subjects) and Mathematics or any other elective subject with English at a level not less than the core course for English as prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training after introduction of the 10+2+3 educational structure as recommended by the National Committee on Education.
   NOTE: where the course content is not as prescribed for 10 +2 education structure of the National Committee, the candidates will have to undergo a period of one year pre - professional training before admission to the Medical Colleges.
   OR
4. The Intermediate/ Pre-degree Examination in Science of an Indian University/ Board or other recognized examining body with Physics, Chemistry, Biology /Bio-technology (which shall include practical test in these subjects) and also English as a compulsory subject.
   OR
5. The Pre-professional/ Pre-medical Examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Bio-technology & English after passing either the Higher Secondary Examination or the Pre-University or an equivalent examination. The Pre-professional/ Pre-medical examination shall include practical test in these subjects and also English as a compulsory subject.
   OR 
6. The first year of the three years' degree course of a recognized University with Physics, Chemistry and Biology/ Bio-technology including practical tests in these subjects provided the examination is a University Examination and candidate has passed the earlier qualifying examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Bio-technology with English at a level not less than a core course.
   OR 
7. B.Sc. Examination of an Indian University provided that he/ she has passed the B.Sc. Examination with not less than two of the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany, Zoology)/ Bio-technology and further that he/ she has passed the earlier qualifying examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English.
   OR 
8. Any other examination which in scope and standard (Last 02 years of 10+2 Study comprising of Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Bio-technology ; Which shall include practical test in these subjects.) is found to be equivalent to the Intermediate Science Examination of an Indian University/ Board, taking Physics, Chemistry and Biology/ Bio-technology including practical tests in each of these subjects and English.

Eligibility for All India Quota Seats

• He/She has completed age of 17 years at the time of admission or will complete the age on or before 31st December of the year of his/her admission to the 1st year MBBS/ BDS Course and is an INDIAN NATIONAL.

• The upper age limit for candidates seeking admission under 15% All India Quota Seats is 25 years as on 31st December of the year of the entrance examination. Further provided that this upper age limit shall be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years for the candidates of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes/ Other Backward Classes. 

Eligibility for State Quota Seats

• He/ She has completed age of 17 years at the time of admission or will complete the age on or before 31st December of the year of his/her admission to the 1st year MBBS/ BDS Course and is an INDIAN NATIONAL.

• Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) are eligible for admission in Medical/ Dental Colleges subject to rules and regulations framed by the respective State Governments and the Government of India.

EXAM PATTERN

NEET Examination shall consist of one paper containing 180 objective type questions (four options with single correct answer) divided into equal sections for Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany & Zoology) to be answered on the specially designed machine-gradable sheet using Ball Point Pen only. The duration of paper would be 03 hours, designed by the Medical Council of India considering the question papers of state entrance tests. Each item carries 4 marks. For each correct response the candidate will get 4 marks. For each incorrect response one mark will be deducted from the total score. No deduction from the total score will, however, be made if no response is indicated for an item in the answer sheet. The candidates are advised not to attempt such item in answer sheet, if they are not sure of the correct response. More than one answer indicated a question will be deemed as incorrect response and will be negatively marked. For unanswered questions, there will be no deducted of marks.

Language of the Question Papers:-

• All candidates can opt for Question Paper either in English or in Hindi.
• Candidates seeking admission under 15% All India quota seats and in AFMC should appear in the examination either in English or Hindi only.
• Candidates who have passed/ appearing their class XII or equivalent qualifying examination from the State Boards of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and seeking admission in the institutions located in the State concerned under State Quota seats only can opt for Question Paper in their respective Regional Language i.e. Telugu, Assamese, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil and Bengali.
• Candidates seeking admission under State Quota seats of more than one State should appear in the examination either in English or Hindi only.
• Candidates opting for English would be provided Test Booklet in English only and the candidates opting for other languages would be provided Test Booklet in English with translation in the language as per choice of the candidate.
• Candidates opting for Question Paper in Regional languages should choose Centre Cities within the geographical limit of the State concerned.
• Option of Question Paper should be exercised while filling in the application form and the option once exercised by candidates cannot be changed later.
• In case of any ambiguity in translation of any of the questions, its English version shall be treated as final.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

·         A candidate can apply for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) only on-line by logging on to www.cbseneet.nic.in. After logging the website, go to the link “Apply On-line” and open the same. Read the instructions and procedure for on-line submission of Application Form carefully and follow the instructions in the page for completing the application procedure.

·         The candidate, before submitting the application form online, shall satisfy his/her eligibility to appear in the examination. The candidate is required to go through the Information Bulletin carefully and acquaint himself/ herself with all requirements with regard to the submission of the Application Form.

·         Application Form can be filled in ENGLISH only. The Candidate should fill his/her complete postal address with the pin code and e-mail address for further correspondence. It will be the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that he/she fills-in his/her correct postal and e-mail addresses in the Application Form. Candidates must ensure that address given by them be such at which candidate may be able to get the communication till the counselling is over. THE BOARD SHALL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS IN TRANSIT OR FOR AN INCORRECT ADDRESS GIVEN BY THE APPLICANT IN THE APPLICATION FORM. Candidate should not give the address of Coaching Centre in their application form.

·         Candidates should fill Code Number against the column provided for Qualifying Examination passed. If a candidate does not fall within the qualifications prescribed as per Code numbers 02 to 07, he/she should furnish complete details and fill up qualifying examination Code as 01. Candidates appearing in 12th Standard in 2013 should fill up qualifying code as 01.

·        
The Application Form duly filled-in alongwith other documents, if any, should be sent to THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY (NEET UNIT),
CBSE, SHIKSHA KENDRA, 2, COMMUNITY CENTRE, PREET VIHAR, DELHI - 110 092
by Registered Post/ Speed Post only so as to reach positively by last date(s) of receipt of application form according to the fee paid. The Application Form will not be received personally from candidates in any case. All other correspondence pertaining to conduct of examination shall also be made on this address.

·         Candidate should avoid sending of application form through courier services. In case, application sent by courier is misplaced during transition, no request for considering candidature would be accepted.

·         Follow the instructions to take the print out of Confirmation Page and Address Slip of the Board’s Address to be pasted on any good quality A5 size envelope for sending the filled in Computer generated Confirmation Page along with other documents, if any, to the CBSE. Ensure that the print out of at least four copies of the Confirmation Page and one copy of the Address Slip are taken. Three copies of the Confirmation page may be kept safely by the candidate for any future need. One copy of the Confirmation Page may be completed as per instructions for sending it to the Board. The photocopy of this Confirmation Page along with the proof of fee paid and the original receipt issued by the Post Office may also be kept safely by the candidate. Candidates may ensure that the application number printed on application and on address slip is similar.

·         Admit Card: 

·         The CBSE will provide the facility of downloading Admit Cards of NEET Examination on the Board’s website. Candidates are required to download the admit cards from the website and follow the instructions given therein. Candidate may please note that admit cards will not be sent by the post.

·         The Admit Card will bear the candidate’s Roll Number, Name, Father’s Name, Category, Sub-Category, Photograph, Signature, Date of Birth, Language of Question Paper with Name and Address of NEET Examination centre allotted. The candidate should carefully examine the Admit Card downloaded by him/her for all the entries made therein. In case of any discrepancy, the candidate should immediately inform the Board. In such cases, candidates would appear in the examination with the already downloaded admit card. However, Board will take necessary action to make correction in the record later.