Expected Changes in NEET 2025 Exam and Updates, NTA Report Released
Explore the anticipated changes in NEET 2025 as suggested by the expert committee to improve fairness and transparency. The key recommendations focus on modifying the exam pattern, conducting modes, and addressing various challenges faced by NEET aspirants.
Expected Changes in NEET 2025: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to release the NEET UG 2025 exam calendar, with the exam likely scheduled for May 4, 2025. There is a chance that the exam pattern will be revised based on recommendations from an expert committee. Led by former ISRO Chief R. Radhakrishnan, the committee was formed following the NEET exam paper leak issue. The panel is preparing to submit its report to the Supreme Court soon, which includes suggestions such as reducing the outsourcing of staff and exam centers, increasing online exams, and limiting the number of attempts for major entrance exams.
Latest Update by NTA – Expected Changes in NEET 2025
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is anticipated to hold the NEET UG 2025 exam on May 4, 2025, with the full schedule expected to be released by December 2024. An expert committee is currently reviewing potential changes to the exam format in response to concerns about fairness and transparency. The committee is set to submit its recommendations to the Supreme Court soon, focusing on aspects such as the exam pattern, mode of conduct, and the number of attempts permitted. This initiative seeks to improve the examination process and address the challenges faced by NEET aspirants.
Major Proposals from the Expert Committee on NEET UG Reforms
A seven-member expert committee, chaired by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan, was established to evaluate the NTA’s role in conducting NEET UG and recommend measures to prevent paper leaks and cheating. The committee also includes Randeep Guleria, B. J. Rao, Ramamurthy K., Pankaj Bansal, Aditya Mittal, and Govind Jaiswal. The committee has suggested the following key reforms:
Online Testing and Hybrid Models: The committee suggests implementing online exams wherever feasible. For cases where full online testing is not possible, they propose a “hybrid” model, where exam papers are digitally sent to centers, but students still complete their answers on paper.
Multi-Stage Exam for Medical Aspirants: To manage the large volume of NEET-UG candidates, the committee recommends a two-stage exam, similar to the JEE format, to better manage applicants and assess them more comprehensively.
Streamlining CUET Subjects: The committee advises reducing the number of subjects in the CUET to minimize redundancy, as students often retake subjects already covered in their board exams.
Increasing NTA Staffing: The committee proposes that the NTA hire more full-time staff rather than relying predominantly on temporary workers. This would enhance the organization and management of exams.
Strengthening Data Security: The committee stresses the need to improve data security and recommends that the NTA take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) greater control of exam centers, reducing reliance on external centers.
Reducing Paper Leak Risks: To mitigate the risk of paper leaks, the committee recommends digitally transmitting question papers and releasing them closer to exam time. This measure would enhance security, particularly following recent NEET-UG paper leak incidents.
Limiting Exam Attempts: The committee suggests capping the number of attempts allowed for NEET-UG candidates, moving away from the current system of unlimited attempts. This would encourage more thorough preparation and make the exam process fairer.
Is the NEET Exam Mode Changed For 2025?
The NEET UG 2024 exam, conducted by the NTA for medical admissions, encountered issues such as question paper leaks and inflated scores. To address these concerns, a committee led by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan was formed to review the situation and propose improvements. The committee has submitted a report to the Ministry of Education, recommending a hybrid exam format and multi-stage testing for NEET UG 2025 to enhance security.
Typically, NEET UG is a three-hour and twenty-minute paper-based exam. In 2024, exam centers were set up in 557 cities across India and 14 international locations to facilitate student travel. The proposed changes for NEET UG 2025 are still under review, and once a decision is made, the NTA will provide updates on its official website.
Is the NTA Planning to Remove Optional Questions in NEET?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) recently introduced changes to the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025, including the removal of optional questions in Section B, restoring the exam to its original format now that the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended. Given these updates to JEE, there is speculation that optional questions might also be removed from the NEET UG exam. However, no official announcement has been made regarding this change for NEET 2025. Aspirants are advised to regularly visit (idioms dictionary) the NTA’s official website (idioms website) for any updates or official notifications.
Are There Any Changes to the NEET 2025 Syllabus?
Currently, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has not made any official announcements regarding updates to the NEET UG 2025 syllabus. Students are advised to continue their preparation based on the NEET UG 2024 syllabus, which includes updates such as the addition of new topics and the removal of certain areas. As no changes have been confirmed yet, aspirants should use the 2024 syllabus as a reliable reference for their studies.
Is the NEET Exam Pattern Going to Change for 2025?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is currently reviewing potential changes to the NEET UG 2025 exam pattern. An expert committee, formed under the Supreme Court of India’s guidance, is assessing the exam process to enhance fairness and transparency. The committee’s report is expected soon, and the NTA will announce any changes once the report is finalized.
Although no specific changes have been confirmed yet, the possibility of adjustments has raised concerns among NEET aspirants. Recently, the NTA modified the JEE Main 2025 exam by removing optional questions, leading to speculation that similar changes could be considered for NEET.
Aspirants are advised to regularly visit the official NTA website for updates on the NEET 2025 exam pattern.
List of Exam Cities Added in NEET 2024
The following table is the list of additional cities added to NEET 2024 where the NEET exam centers will be held.
| City | State |
| Amravathi | Andhra Pradesh
|
| Kurnool | |
| Gooty | |
| Gudur | |
| Surampalem | |
| Tenali | |
| Basar | Arunachal Pradesh
|
| Pasighat | |
| Baksa | Assam
|
| Goalpara | |
| Golaghat | |
| Nagaon | |
| Nalbari | |
| Araria | Bihar
|
| Arwal | |
| Banka | |
| Bhabua | |
| Khagaria | |
| Nawada | |
| Sheikhpura | |
| Balod | Chhattisgarh
|
| Bijapur | |
| Kondagaon | |
| Mahendragarh | |
| Narayanpur | |
| Botad | Gujarat
|
| Banaskantha | |
| Kadi | |
| Kheda | |
| Balasinor | |
| Porbandar | |
| Bhiwani | Haryana
|
| Jhajjar | |
| Jind | |
| Kaithal | |
| Mahendragarh | |
| Mewat | |
| Palwal | |
| Panipat | |
| Rewari | |
| Rohtak | |
| Sirsa | |
| Sonipat | |
| Sirmaur | Himachal Pradesh |
| Khunti | Jharkhand
|
| Latehar | |
| Lohardaga | |
| Simdega | |
| Karwar | Karnataka |
| Angmaly | Kerala |
| Deoghar | Madhya Pradesh |
| Chandel | Manipur
|
| Churachandrapur | |
| East Khasi Hills | Meghalaya
|
| Jowai | |
| Ri Bhoi | Shillong |
| Mamit | Mizoram |
| Karaikal | Puducherry
|
| Yanam | |
| Mahe | |
| Fazilka | Punjab |
| Jaisalmer | Rajasthan |
| Asifabad | Telangana
|
| Medak | |
| Vikarabad | |
| Balrampur | Uttar Pradesh
|
| Ayodhya | |
| Pitthoragarh | Uttarakhand
|
| Uttarkashi | |
| Darjeeling | West Bengal |
Haryana has the highest number of NEET 2024 exam cities added followed by Bihar & Gujarat.
While these cities have been added, as many as 3 cities have been removed from the list of NEET 2024 exam cities, which are Rairangpur (Odisha), Malegaon (Maharashtra), and Faizabad (Uttar Pradesh).
List of NEET 2024 International City Centres
This table shows the 14 countries and cities abroad where NEET 2024 exams will take place.
| Name of the Country | NEET 2024 Exam City |
| Kuwait | Kuwait City |
| United Arab Emirates | Dubai |
| United Arab Emirates | Abu Dubai |
| Thailand | Bangkok |
| Sri Lanka | Colombo |
| Qatar | Doha |
| Nepal | Kathmandu |
| Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur |
| Nigeria | Lagos |
| Bahrain | Manama |
| Oman | Muscat |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh |
| United Arab Emirates | Sharjah |
| Singapore | Singapore |
NEET 2024 Application Process Modified
The NEET 2024 application process has undergone modifications, particularly in the aspects of identity verification, document submission requirements, and login procedures. While the broad process remains intact, adjustments have been made to enhance efficiency and security. Below are the details of the changes implemented:
Selecting Identity Type before NEET 2024 Registration
When you click on the NEET 2024 registration tab, you’ll be asked to pick one of the following identity type. The options include:
- Digi locker Account
- Aadhaar Number
- Academic Bank of Credits ID
- Indian Passport
- PAN Card
- Non-Indian Passport
NEET 2024 Login Methods
They can also log in by choosing from these options available:
- Application Number
- ABC ID
- Digi locker ID
NEET Application Documents Not Required This Year
Although basic documents such as photographs, signatures, and finger and thumb impressions remain necessary, other documents such as the Class 10 pass certificate and address proof, required until last year, are no longer necessary. Let’s examine the updated list of required and no longer required documents for the NEET 2024 application.
NEET Application Form 2024 Documents Required:
You will need to upload the following documents for NTA NEET:
- Scanned passport photograph
- Scanned signature
- Scanned postcard-size photograph
- Scanned left and right-hand fingers and thumb impressions
- PWBD Certificate (if applicable)
- Citizenship Certificate (if applicable, for NRI/PIO/OCI candidates)
Documents Not Required for NEET 2024 Application Form:
Here’s the list of documents that you don’t need to upload this year:
- Class 10 Pass Certificate
- Category Certificate (for Reserved category candidates)
- Proof of Permanent and Present Address
NEET 2024 Tie-Breaking Criteria
The tie-breaking criteria for NEET 2024 have been updated compared to last year. Although the first three criteria remain unchanged, there is a change in the fourth or final criterion. Below are the tie-breaking criteria for NEET 2024.
- Their highest marks in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test.
- Their highest marks in Chemistry in the Test.
- Their highest marks in Physics in the Test.
- If needed, a computerized draw will be used, without human involvement.
NEET 2024 Syllabus
The NEET 2024 syllabus changes weren’t surprising because the National Medical Commission (NMC) and later the National Testing Agency (NTA) had already shared the updated NEET 2024 syllabus PDF. In the new syllabus, some topics have been removed from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, while a few new topics have been added to each subject.
Last year, NEET UG used to have separate topics for Class 11 and Class 12. But this year, except for Chemistry, they changed it. Now, in NEET Chemistry, they divide it into Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry chapters.
NEET 2024 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for NEET 2024 have undergone significant changes concerning the subjects studied and the schooling background of candidates. Previously, only those candidates who studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology as core subjects were deemed eligible for NEET. However, this year, those who have studied these subjects as additional papers are also eligible to appear for NEET 2024.
Additionally, candidates who have passed or appeared for the Class 12 or equivalent board exam from the National Institute of Open Schools (NIOS) are now eligible for NEET 2024. Statement by NTA, “The provisions of the regulations disqualifying recognized Open School Board candidates and the candidates who have studied Biology/Biotechnology as an Additional Subject has been struck down”. This decision comes as the Medical Council of India has lodged Special Leave Petitions before the Hon’ble Supreme Court and Appeals in the Hon’ble High Courts.
Hence, candidates who have completed the qualifying examinations, such as Class 12 from the National Institute of Open Schooling or State Open Schools, or as private candidates from recognized State Boards, or with Biology/Biotechnology as an additional subject, are permitted to apply for NEET (UG) – 2024. However, their candidature is contingent upon the outcome of Special Leave Petitions/Appeals filed by the Medical Council of India.
Despite these changes, the NEET 2024 exam pattern remains unchanged, bringing relief to candidates. NEET 2024 is scheduled to be conducted on May 5, 2024, from 2 PM to 5.20 PM (Indian Standard Time). The last date for submitting the NEET 2024 application form is March 9, 2024. It is anticipated that approximately 20 lakh candidates will appear for the exam.
