The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the schedule for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2025, which is set to take place on May 4, 2025. This exam is pivotal for students aspiring to enter the medical field, as it serves as the gateway for undergraduate medical and allied courses across India.
Registration for the NEET UG 2025 opened on February 7, 2025, and will remain available until March 7, 2025, at 11:50 PM. Students interested in taking the exam must complete their application online at the NTA's official website - neet.nta.nic.in. This year, NTA has made some significant changes to the exam structure and registration process.
One of the most noteworthy alterations for this year's NEET is the complete shift back to the pre-pandemic structure, meaning all 180 questions on the exam will be compulsory. This includes 45 questions each from Physics and Chemistry and 90 from Biology. The removal of optional questions signifies a rollback of adjustments made during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had allowed candidates more flexibility. According to the NTA, "The changes mean no additional time or flexibility, a rollback of the provisions introduced during the COVID-19 period." This change has elicited mixed reactions from students and educators alike as they prepare for the upcoming exam.
For students, it's imperative to understand the registration process thoroughly, which requires them to provide specific information, including personal details and identification documents. The registration fee is structured as follows: the general category applicants will pay Rs 1,700, candidates under the General Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Other Backward Classes Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) will pay Rs 1,000, and Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and third-gender candidates will be charged Rs 1,000. It's worth noting the clear instructions provided on the NTA website to avoid disqualification due to unclear or incorrect uploads. NTA explicitly stated, "NEET applications will be rejected if they contain unclear, fabricated, or mismatched images, signatures, or fingerprints."
After the registration period closes, the NTA will open the correction window from March 9 to March 11, 2025. This will allow candidates to make necessary alterations to their application forms if needed. During this period, candidates might also encounter additional fees for altering certain details, especially if it involves changing their selected exam city.
Once candidates have completed their applications, they can expect to receive their admit cards by May 1, 2025. The NTA plans to announce the city of examination by April 26, 2025. The NEET UG 2025 exam will run from 2 PM to 5 PM, maintaining the traditional pen-and-paper mode, as confirmed by relevant authorities following discussions between the education and health ministries.
With the exam poised to be conducted among millions of candidates nationwide, the sheer scale of NEET UG cannot be overstated. Last year, over 24 lakh candidates registered for the examination, highlighting its significance. This year, around 1,08,940 MBBS seats are available, with approximately 56,000 allocated to government medical colleges and about 52,000 to private institutions. Candidates should keep abreast of their preparations and utilize available resources.
The NEET-UG exam will also cater to diverse candidates by being available in 13 languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali, broadening access for students from varying backgrounds.
Officials are emphasizing the importance of adherence to application guidelines. It has been stated unequivocally, "Candidates must strictly follow the instructions... Candidates not complying with the instructions will be summarily disqualified." With these significant changes, aspiring candidates are encouraged to focus on their studies without distraction, ensuring they uphold the integrity of their applications.
Overall, with the NEET UG 2025 registration officially underway, medical aspirants should familiarize themselves with the revised exam format and deadlines. The results of the NEET exam are expected to be declared by June 14, 2025, marking the end of the arduous process for candidates and starting their journeys toward their desired careers in medicine.