NEET-PG: Pattern, Frequency & Success Statistics
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate
NEET-PG is conducted annually on a nationwide scale by NBEMS under the guidance of the National Medical Commission (NMC). It serves as the sole eligibility and merit-based entrance test for 50% All India Quota (AIQ) and 50% State Quota seats in government, private, deemed, and central medical universities nationwide.
Total Questions
200 MCQs
Clinical Vignettes
Total Duration
210 mins
3 hours 30 mins
Total Marks
800 Marks
+4 / -1 Marking
Exam Frequency
1x / Year
Annual Cycle
Annual Applicants
~2,25,000+
MBBS Doctors
Available Seats
~52,000
MD/MS/DNB
Exam Pattern & Structure
CBT ModeTotal Questions
200 Questions
Max Marks: 800
Total Duration
3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes without break)
Single morning shift (typically 09:00 AM to 12:30 PM)
Time-Locked Section Navigation
Divided into 5 time-bound locked sections (Groups A to E) of 40 questions each (42 minutes per section). Once a section's timer expires, navigation is locked and candidates cannot return to previous sections.
Question Format & Types
- ✓Clinical patient vignette questions (70%+)
- ✓Single Best Answer Multiple Choice Questions
- ✓Clinical image-based and radiological diagnoses
- ✓ECG, histopathology, and procedural diagnostic findings
Success Ratio & Seat Analytics
While ~50% of candidates qualify the percentile cutoff, the real competition is for top clinical branches (Radiodiagnosis, General Medicine, Dermatology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, General Surgery, OBGYN) which typically close within the top 15,000 to 22,000 AIR ranks in All India Quota counseling.
Annual Candidates
2,15,000 – 2,40,000 candidates
Seats / Quota
Approx. 52,000 seats (Government + Private MD/MS & DNB)
Conversion / Rate
Overall seat conversion is ~22%, but clinical seat conversion is ~10%
| Specialty / Score Tier | Typical Rank / Band | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Radio-Diagnosis & Dermatology | AIR 1 – 2,500 | Extremely High |
| General Medicine & Pediatrics | AIR 1,000 – 6,500 | High |
| Orthopedics & General Surgery | AIR 4,000 – 12,000 | Competitive |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | AIR 5,000 – 14,000 | Competitive |
| Anesthesia, Pathology, Psychiatry | AIR 12,000 – 30,000 | Moderate |
Syllabus & Subject Weightage
Estimated question allocation across Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical disciplines:
Clinical Disciplines (Final Year MBBS)
Para-Clinical Disciplines (2nd Year MBBS)
Pre-Clinical Disciplines (1st Year MBBS)
Official Marking Scheme
Every correct response is awarded 4 marks. For every incorrect response, 1 mark is deducted. Questions marked for review with an answered option are evaluated.
Annual Schedule & Timeline
Once a year (Annual)1 session per academic year (conducted between June and August)
Release of official brochure and registration window
Form submission, photo upload, and test center selection
Hall ticket download on NBEMS portal
Nationwide single-shift CBT
Scorecard download and All India 50% Quota rank list
Four rounds of AIQ and State quota seat allotment
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Possession of a recognized MBBS degree or provisional pass certificate recognized by the NMC / State Medical Council.
- ✓Completion of 12 months of mandatory rotatory internship on or before the cutoff date specified by NBEMS (usually July/August).
- ✓Permanent or provisional registration certificate issued by the NMC or State Medical Council.
- ✓There is no upper age limit or restriction on the number of attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions about NEET-PG
What is the new time-bound sectional pattern in NEET-PG?
NBEMS introduced time-bound sectional locking. The question paper is divided into 5 groups of questions, each allotted a fixed 42-minute block. You cannot skip forward to future sections before completing the current section, and you cannot return to a past section once its timer expires.
How many times is NEET-PG held in a calendar year?
NEET-PG is conducted exactly once a year, typically between June and August for the corresponding academic session.
Is there negative marking in NEET-PG?
Yes. NEET-PG follows a +4 / -1 marking scheme. Correct answers receive 4 marks, while incorrect responses incur a 1 mark penalty (25% deduction).
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