NEET UG 2024: How to Apply, Eligibility Criteria, and Exam Pattern

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started the online application process for the National Eligibility Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024, which is the gateway to admission in various undergraduate medical courses in India. The last date to apply is April 10, 2024, and the exam will be conducted on May 5, 2024. Candidates who are interested and eligible can visit the official website of NTA NEET (https://neet.nta.nic.in/) to fill the application form and pay the fee.

NEET UG is a national-level entrance exam that tests the candidates' knowledge and aptitude in four subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany. The exam consists of two sections: A and B, for each subject. Section A has 35 compulsory questions, each carrying four marks, while section B has 15 optional questions, each carrying four marks. The candidates have to attempt any 10 questions from section B. There is negative marking of one mark for each incorrect answer. The total duration of the exam is three hours, and the total marks are 720.

To be eligible for NEET UG 2024, candidates must have passed or appeared in one of the qualifying exams specified by NTA. The qualifying exams are assigned different codes, which the candidates have to enter in the application form based on their qualifications. The codes and the corresponding qualifying exams are as follows:

• Code 1: This code is for candidates who are appearing in Class 12 in 2024 or whose result is awaited. They can apply and appear for NEET UG 2024, provided they pass the qualifying exam with the required percentage of marks at the time of the first round of counseling. They must have English, physics, chemistry, and biology as main subjects in the qualifying exam and must have obtained the minimum marks prescribed by NTA.
• Code 2: This code is for candidates who have passed the higher or senior secondary exam or the Indian School Certificate exam equivalent to Class 12 after 12 years of study, with physics, chemistry, biology or biotechnology, and mathematics or any other elective subject, along with English, as prescribed by the NCERT. Candidates who have passed Class 12 from open school or as private candidates are not eligible under this code, but those who have passed Class 12 with biology as an additional subject are eligible.
• Code 3: This code is for candidates who have passed the intermediate or pre-degree exam in science from an Indian university or board, or any other recognized examining body, with physics, chemistry, biology or biotechnology, and English as compulsory subjects.
• Code 4: This code is for candidates who have passed the pre-professional or pre-medical exam with physics, chemistry, biology or biotechnology, and English, after passing the Higher Secondary Examination or equivalent exam. The pre-professional or pre-medical exam must include practical tests in these subjects and English as a compulsory subject.
• Code 5: This code is for candidates who have passed the first year of a three-year degree course from a recognized university with physics, chemistry, biology or biotechnology (including practical tests) as subjects. They must have passed the earlier qualifying exam with English at a level not lower than a core course.
• Code 6: This code is for candidates who have passed the BSc exam from an Indian University with at least two of the subjects physics, chemistry, biology (botany, zoology) or biotechnology, and have passed the earlier qualifying exam with physics, chemistry, biology, and English as subjects.
• Code 7: This code is for candidates who have passed any other exam that is equivalent to the intermediate science exam of an Indian university or board, with physics, chemistry, biology or biotechnology (including practical tests), and English as subjects.

Candidates who qualify NEET UG 2024 will be eligible for admission to various undergraduate medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, and BVSc & AH, in various medical colleges and institutions across India, subject to the reservation and admission policies of the respective states and authorities.