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NEET-PGNational Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate)

Conducting body
National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS)
Level
Postgraduate entrance (medical)
Frequency
Once a year (typically)
Mode
Computer-based test (CBT)
Duration
3 hr 30 min
Negative marking
+4 for a correct answer, -1 for a wrong answer, 0 for unattempted

About NEET-PG

NEET-PG is the national entrance examination for postgraduate medical courses, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences. It ranks MBBS graduates for admission to MD, MS, PG Diploma and DNB programmes, and its score feeds MCC's 50% All India Quota counselling as well as state counselling for the balance of seats.

The computer-based test presents 200 single-best-response MCQs for 800 marks, administered in time-bound sections, with +4 for a correct answer and -1 for a wrong answer. Questions span the entire MBBS syllabus — pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects — testing applied clinical knowledge and reasoning.

Because postgraduate seats are far fewer than the number of aspirants, NEET-PG is highly competitive and rank-sensitive. A National Exit Test (NExT) is legislated to eventually replace NEET-PG as the PG-entrance mechanism, but that transition has been deferred and NEET-PG continues to be the operative exam.

Accepted by: MD, MS, PG Diploma and DNB (Diplomate of National Board) seats across government and private institutions in India

Official website

NEET-PG eligibility

An MBBS degree recognised under the NMC, completion (or expected completion by the prescribed cut-off) of the compulsory rotating internship, and provisional or permanent registration with a State Medical Council or the NMC.

NEET-PG exam pattern

Questions
200 single-best-response MCQs
Total marks
800
Duration
3 hr 30 min

Sections

  • Section A
  • Section B
  • Section C
  • Section D
  • Section E (40 questions each; time-bound sections)

Marking scheme: +4 for a correct answer, -1 for a wrong answer, 0 for unattempted

NEET-PG syllabus outline

  • Pre-clinical subjects — Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
  • Para-clinical subjects — Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine
  • Clinical subjects — General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and the allied clinical specialties across the MBBS curriculum

Find colleges that accept NEET-PG

Compare medical colleges across India — fees, placements, accreditation, and courses — and shortlist the right fit for your score.

Other medical entrance exams

Sources & official references