The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG is one of the most necessary exams for students to get admission in the medical colleges of India. The NEET UG 2024 medical entrance exam has been particularly eventful, with various incidents and developments that have kept candidates on their toes. Here’s everything you need to know about the NEET UG 2024 exam, including key dates, incidents, and what to expect next.

When was NEET UG Exam Date 2024 Scheduled?

The NEET UG 2024 exam was earlier scheduled and taken on May 5, 2024. Students in the examination hall would have never thought of the future. Due to disruptions at some places where the exam was held, a retest was scheduled for later.

When was the Retest?

The retest took place on June 23, 2024, in six cities across India for 1,563 candidates who experienced issues during the initial exam at the examination centre. Entrance examinations facing issues have become highlighted news in the country. NEET UG being one of those!

However, this National eligibility cum entrance test ‘retest’ was taken again for specific candidates who faced issues, and not all.

These specific candidates were granted grace marks due to the loss of time at their exam centres on May 5. The admit cards for this retest were released on June 20, 2024. Now, the results are expected to be declared on June 30, 2024.

What Was The NEET 2024 Paper Leak Controversy?

NEET UG was in news all around due to an alleged paper leak. The case is now with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), assigned by the Ministry of Education.

This controversy intensified the demand for a re-exam for all 24 lakh NEET UG aspirants. However, as per authorities conducting a retest for everyone was not feasible as it would disrupt the genuine candidates’ candidature and schedule.

How Did Candidates Register For NEET UG?

Before the exam leak, when students had no clue of what would happen, they worked hard to seamlessly register themselves and get through the application form with no stress!

However, the registration process, and keeping registration credentials and documents safe is really challenging. Thankfully, it did not go waste for all. Only some specific students who got grace marks re-appeared for the NTA NEET UG Exam.

How Did Students Register For NEET UG?

Students went through rigorous application form filling. The National Testing Agency has an aligned application process. Candidates went through the same.

Amid digital and online modes, uploading documents, waiting for correction window, staying tuned to wrap up before application window closes, and keeping a close eye on the future admission process requirements, students really worked hard. Candidates kept the registration credentials safe, perfected the time management skills while application, and kept their hall tickets safe too.

What Next To Expect After NEET UG Exam Date 2024?

Followed by NEET UG exam is the counselling. So, candidates need to prepare themselves for counselling after results.

What is the NEET UG 2024 Counselling Schedule?

Despite the controversies, the NEET UG 2024 counselling will proceed as scheduled. At the time of admission, while students stand at the medical colleges, it will all be in their memories. Such a roller coaster!

NEET UG Counseling is expected to commence from July 6, 2024. The counselling process will be based on NEET 2024 scores and will be conducted for admissions to various quotas seats, including the 15% All India Quota (AIQ), 85% state quota, deemed/central universities, private colleges, AFMS/ESIC institutes, and AIIMS and JIPMER campuses. The National Testing Agency announced the NEET result for over 24 lakh students on June 4, 2024. All of these students are ready to get into the medical colleges of their choice. For sure, taking up medical courses isn’t a cakewalk.

Eligibility for NEET UG Counselling Process 2024

To participate in NEET UG Counselling 2024, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Qualified in NEET UG 2024: Candidates must have qualified in the NEET UG 2024 exam by securing the minimum marks/ percentile score required.
• Minimum Age Requirement: Candidates must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2024.
• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects from a recognized board.
• Nationality: Indian citizens, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Foreign Nationals are eligible.
• State Eligibility: For state quota seats, candidates must meet the domicile requirements specified by the respective state authorities. Category candidates can attach their proofs also while process is on.

Steps for NEET UG Counselling 2024

1. Filling Registration Form for NEET UG Counselling 2024

• Visit the official website of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) or the respective state counselling authority.
• Start the application process by registering as a new candidate.
• Enter required details and registration credentials like NEET roll number, registration number, name, mother’s name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID.
• Create a password and complete the registration process.

2. Payment of NEET UG Counselling Fee

• Pay the counselling application fee online using Net Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card.
• The application fee structure will be specified on the official website. The application process, (separate) for counseling is incomplete without payment.

3. The Choice Filling and Locking

• Log in using the registration credentials created during registration process. It is all via online modes so try to be digitally equipped.
• Fill in the choices of medical colleges and medical courses in order of preference.
• Lock the choices before the deadline. If your medical colleges’ and courses’ choices are not locked, the system will automatically lock them.

4. Seat Allotment In NEET UG Counselling

• The MCC/state counselling authority will conduct the seat allotment process based on the choices filled, NEET UG rank, reservation criteria/quota seats, and seat availability.
• The seat allotment result will be published on the official website.

5. Reporting to Allotted Medical College

• Download the seat allotment letter from the official website.
• Report to the allotted college within the specified time frame.
• Carry all required documents for verification. It’s an offline mode process. Just like online application form, here in physical documents verification, a candidate has to be very careful.

6. Document Verification

Candidates must present original documents and their photocopies for verification.

Documents required typically include:

• NEET UG 2024 Admit Card (You can’t skip this one!)
• NEET UG 2024 Rank Card (After all the hard-work, forgetting scorecard would be an issue!)
• Class 10 and 12 Mark Sheets and Certificates (Forget not to show your pro levels of English subjects, Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
• Birth Certificate (It’s an important proof)
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
• ID Proof (Aadhar Card, Passport, etc.)
• Passport-sized Photographs

7. Admission Confirmation

• After successful document verification, candidates must confirm their admission process by paying the required fee at the allotted medical college.
• Obtain the admission confirmation letter from the college. Time of admission is crucial. Stay motivated. You already have the score for admission! Now you need only some positivity.

8. Reporting for Further Rounds

• If candidates wish to participate in further counselling rounds for better choices, they need to follow the instructions provided by the counselling authority.

9. Mop-Up Round (if applicable)

• If seats remain vacant after the first few rounds, a mop-up round will be conducted.
• Candidates who did not get a seat or want to upgrade their allotted seat can participate in this round. From day one in that exam hall to this mop-round of counseling process, it’s a rigorous journey. But faith helps a candidate sail through!
• Not to forget, for specific details and updates, regularly check the official websites of MCC and state counselling authorities.

What was the NEET 2024 Exam Pattern and Cutoff?

The cutoff scores for NEET UG 2024 are as follows:

• General Category: 720-164
• SC/ST/OBC Category: 163-129
• General-PwD Category: 163-146
• SC/ST/OBC-PwD Category: 145-129

The pattern is as follows:

• 200 Questions Format: The NEET UG 2024 exam pattern consisted of 200 questions, out of which candidates had to answer 180.
• Three Subjects: The questions covered Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
• Marking Scheme: The marking scheme awarded four marks for each correct answer, deducted one mark for each incorrect answer, and gave no marks for unanswered questions.
• Candidates who qualify for the test will be eligible to participate in the NEET 2024 counselling process.

What are NTA’s Preparations for the Future of NEET UG EXAM?

The NTA has clarified that despite reports of a question paper leak at one examination center, the integrity of the NEET exam remains intact. The incident at the Sawai Madhopur center in Rajasthan, where students took question papers away against their will, did not affect other centers. The NTA also clarified that all question papers were accounted for and that strict security protocols were in place, including CCTV surveillance and restricted access once the exam began.

How Many Candidates Had Registered For NEET UG EXAM DATE 2024?

NEET UG 2024 saw a record-high number of registrations, with 20+ lakh students, including 10 lakh + male students and 13 lakh+ female students. It could happen because many smaller cities were included in the list of exam centers especially in the Northeast, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir, and other states.

What Must Be Guidance For NEET Aspirants in Future?

For aspirants preparing for future NEET exams, resources like online courses can be highly helpful. With multiple courses meticulously designed here, students can prepare really well for future exams.

Conclusion

The NEET UG 2024 has been a rollercoaster for many candidates, with its fair share of controversies and challenges. However, with the retest completed and the counselling process set to begin, students can finally see a clearer path forward. It’s essential for candidates to stay focused and not be swayed by rumours or misinformation. As the results and counselling processes unfold, aspirants should stay updated with official announcements and prepare for the next steps in their medical careers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is NEET UG Exam Date 2024 Scheduled?

Ans. Yes. NEET UG Exam was done on May 5th, 2024. But due to issues in the exam hall and specific centers, some candidates appeared for the re-test. This exam for admission was held again on June 23, 2024.

Q2. What will happen next after NEET exam 2024?

Ans. Rounds of counselling are scheduled further. The counselling process will begin as decided previously. It will most probably begin from July 6, 2024.

Q3. What is the eligibility for Counselling process?

Ans. Having qualified NEET UG exam is the first priority. To clear this exam, it is advisable to practice hard with mock tests, participate in mock competitive exams, practice questions from various sources, and analyse the previous year questions and answer key.

Over a lakh candidates participate in the exam every time. Those who get qualifying marks can participate further in the application process of NEET UG counseling process. Not to forget, the candidate must be at least seventeen years of age to be eligible for the same. For more details, refer to the blog above.

Q4: What should be the study schedule for NEET UG/PG Exams?

Ans. With so much going on in the news, it is advisable to stay calm. Do not worry about getting a minimum score, instead worry about exam preparation effectively and efficiently. Go through exam syllabus in detail, study in online modes to save time, perform mock tests, practice as per exam pattern and analyse previous year question papers to understand difficulty level.

Q5. What is the exam pattern of NEET UG exam? Would it continue in the future?

Ans. For qualifying examination, the question types are not many! It’s only an MCQ format. The NEET UG exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. For incorrect answers, there’s negative marking. One wrong answer snatches one mark from the candidate. While, one correct answer would fetch four marks. There is no mark given for unattempted response. As of now, the exam pattern, exam preparation, and exam syllabus seems to be same for future, inclusive of Physics, Chemistry, Biology as core subjects for the exam prep. However, it is advisable to keep a close check on the National Testing Agency and other official websites for any change, if happens.

Q6. What sources to trust for further updates?

Ans. Only official websites of National Testing Agency must be trusted. With multiple news circulating all over, there must only be websites from official sources to clarify things. For future reference, the website is: https://www.nta.ac.in/