Understanding NEET-UG: Gateway to a Medical Career

In the world of medical education in India, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) stands as a pivotal point of assessment and entry. NEET-UG is an all-India level entrance examination conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for aspiring medical, dental and AYUSH students. This comprehensive examination determines the eligibility and competence of candidates seeking admission to undergraduate medical, dental as well as AYUSH courses across government, private, and deemed medical institutions in the country. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of NEET-UG, its significance, structure, and the subjects it covers, along with a detailed table illustrating the marks distribution per subject.

Significance of NEET-UG

NEET-UG was introduced with the aim of streamlining the medical and dental admission process, providing a single point of entry for students across the nation. Before the inception of NEET-UG, multiple state-level and institution-specific entrance exams existed, leading to disparities in admission criteria and difficulty levels. The introduction of NEET-UG not only reduced the burden on students who had to prepare for numerous exams but also ensured a standardized evaluation process that measured the aptitude and knowledge of all candidates uniformly.

NEET-UG Structure

NEET-UG is a pen-and-paper-based examination with a duration of 3 hours and 20 minutes. The examination consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) covering four major subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology). The language component can be either English or any of the 11 Indian languages listed in the official NEET-UG notification.

Each correct answer in NEET-UG awards the candidate four marks, while one mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions. This marking scheme emphasizes accuracy and encourages candidates to be cautious while attempting questions

Subjects Covered in NEET-UG

• Physics: Physics evaluates the candidate's understanding of concepts related to mechanics, electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics, and more. Topics include kinematics, laws of motion, gravitation, thermodynamics, and more.
• Chemistry: Chemistry assesses the candidate's knowledge of elements, compounds, chemical reactions, and their applications. Organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry are the major subfields covered.
• Biology: Biology is divided into Botany and Zoology, covering various aspects of living organisms. Botany explores plant anatomy, genetics, ecology, and more. Zoology delves into human physiology, evolution, biotechnology, and classification with relevance to animals.

NEET-UG Structure

Below is a table illustrating the marks distribution per subject in NEET-UG: