The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is an entrance examination in India for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical courses (MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH) in government and private institutions across the country. It is also the gateway for those aiming to study medicine abroad, as NEET scores are required for admissions in many foreign medical institutions.
History and Evolution
NEET was introduced by the Government of India and conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for the first time in 2013. The aim was to replace various individual medical entrance exams held by states and institutions with a single, standardized exam. However, due to legal challenges and opposition from various states, NEET was initially scrapped. It was reintroduced in 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and since then, it has been conducted annually.
In 2019, the responsibility of conducting NEET was transferred to the National Testing Agency (NTA), a government agency established to conduct standardized entrance examinations for higher educational institutions in India.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to appear for NEET, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Age Limit: The minimum age for appearing in NEET is 17 years as of December 31 of the year of admission. The upper age limit is 25 years for general category candidates and 30 years for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD).
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed or be appearing for their Class 12 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects. They must have secured at least 50% marks in aggregate for general category candidates, 40% for SC/ST/OBC candidates, and 45% for PwD candidates.
Nationality: Indian citizens, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and foreign nationals are eligible to appear for NEET.
Exam Structure
NEET is a pen-and-paper-based test consisting of 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided into three sections:
- Physics: 45 questions
- Chemistry: 45 questions
- Biology: 90 questions (sub-divided into Botany and Zoology)
The exam is conducted over a duration of three hours. Each correct answer is awarded four marks, while one mark is deducted for each incorrect answer (negative marking).
Syllabus
The syllabus for NEET is prescribed by the NTA and is based on the curriculum of Classes 11 and 12 for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. It is largely aligned with the CBSE syllabus, but it also incorporates topics from various state boards, making it comprehensive and inclusive.
Significance of NEET
NEET is crucial as it standardizes the medical entrance process across India, ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants, regardless of their educational background. It also prevents multiple entrance exams, reducing the stress and financial burden on students and parents.
Counseling and Admission Process
After the results are declared, the counseling process begins, conducted by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) for 15% All India Quota seats in government medical colleges and 100% seats in deemed universities, central universities, and ESIC and AFMC institutes. The remaining 85% of seats are filled through state counseling authorities.
Counseling involves several rounds, where candidates fill in their preferences for colleges and courses. Seats are allocated based on the candidate’s NEET rank, category, and available seats.
Challenges and Criticism
NEET has faced criticism on several fronts:
Language Barrier: NEET is conducted in multiple languages, but the majority of the questions are in English or Hindi, which puts students from regional boards at a disadvantage.
High Competition: With millions of students appearing for the exam and only a limited number of seats available, the competition is intense, leading to significant stress among aspirants.
Coaching Dependency: The difficulty level of NEET has led to the proliferation of coaching centers, making it almost a necessity for students to undergo expensive coaching, thereby excluding economically disadvantaged students.
Impact on State Autonomy: Some states argue that NEET infringes upon their right to administer education within their jurisdiction.
Reforms and Future Prospects
To address these challenges, there have been calls for reforms, such as increasing the number of seats in medical colleges, introducing more regional languages in the exam, and ensuring greater transparency in the exam and counseling process.
In the future, NEET is expected to continue being the primary gateway for medical education in India, with ongoing efforts to make the examination process more equitable and accessible for all sections of society. The exam remains a critical step for students aspiring to enter the medical profession, shaping the future of healthcare in India.
